It’s status quo in Green Bay where half the roster is injured. Now, it wouldn’t be Green Bay Packers football if that weren’t the case.
Next man up, says Mike McCarthy! Even if those next men have no business playing in the NFL!
Yeah, yeah… I’ll get to it. I’m about as tired of writing about all the goddam injuries the Packers have as you are of hearing about them. So first, here’s who’s already been ruled out: right tackle Don Barclay, cornerback Casey Hayward, cornerback James Nixon, linebacker Nick Perry and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Barclay will miss his second straight week with a knee injury. Again, you will be forced to watch Marshall Newhouse struggle to play right tackle. That is, unless the Packers want to finally give former first-round pick Derek Sherrod some snaps, which seems like the thing to do.
Perry, I don’t get. He returned two weeks ago against Philadelphia after missing time with a broken foot. Then he missed last week’s game and now will miss this one.
It seems fair to assume the Packers rushed Perry back and his injury got worse. Smooth move, Ex-Lax.
Of course, nothing short of total incompetence should be expected of the Packers training and medical staff at this point.
Anyway, on to the rest of it.
Defensive tackle Johnny Jolly is a long-shot to play because of a groin injury he suffered against the Giants. That will mean more snaps for C.J. Wilson. Jolly is officially doubtful.
Cornerback Sam Shields appears in line to miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Shields didn’t practice at all this week and he’s listed as questionable.
If there’s any good news here, it’s that Micah Hyde looks good to go after missing Thursday’s practice. McCarthy said he’s confident Hyde will play, which is good news for the return game and the secondary.
Hyde will team with Tramon Williams and Davon House in the nickel with both Shields and Hayward out.
Joining Hyde on the probable list are linebackers Clay Matthews, Andy Mulumba and Mike Neal, center Evan Dietrich-Smith and defensive end Ryan Pickett.