Packers Daily Links: Woodson, Shields Return to Practice
By Brian Carriveau on Dec 06, 2012 with 25 Comments
Even though there’s less encouraging injury news elsewhere on the team, the Packers are getting healthy in the defensive backfield. “Safety Charles Woodson and cornerback Sam Shields, one half of the Green Bay Packers’ starting secondary, returned to practice Wednesday, ending a six-week span in which both were sidelined,” writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Whether either or both of them is ready to play on Sunday against the Lions, remains to be seen. There’s also the issue of how much playing time they’ll receive upon return. Cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Davon House have played well in the absence of Woodson and Shields.
More on the return of Charles Woodson and Sam Shields comes from JSOnline, twice, ESPNMilwaukee.com and the Associated Press.
The news on the injury front is more disappointing outside the secondary. “Guard T.J. Lang (ankle), linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring), defensive end Mike Neal (shoulder), receiver Jordy Nelson (hamstring), running back James Starks (knee) and defensive end C.J. Wilson (knee) were held out of Wednesday’s practice,” writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. McCarthy had particularly disheartening sentiments to share regarding Lang and Neal, saying Lang wasn’t progressing the way he’d like and that he didn’t feel good about Neal. The chances that they miss Sunday’s game is looking more and more likely.
More injury report news comes from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, ESPNMilwaukee.com and JSOnline.
Drawing parallels between the injury situations of the Packers in 2010 (the year they won the Super Bowl) and the current Packers team is Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel.
Not only did Ryan Grant return to the Packers, he received a standing ovation from the players in a team meeting. “When the Green Bay Packers running back met his old (and new) teammates again, he was met with booming applause,” writes Tyler Dunne at JSOnline. “The team’s fifth all-time leading rusher is back for the stretch run when the Packers need him most. Cedric Benson is down. James Starks is down. Brandon Saine is down.” Mike McCarthy said he expects Ryan Grant to be ready to play on Sunday. Don’t expect him to play a large role any time soon, but he should be able to spell Alex Green every now and again.
More on the Packers signing Ryan Grant comes from the Journal Sentinel, Associated Press, Press-Gazette, twice, Wisconsin State Journal, Fox Sports Wisconsin, Packer Report, WFRV and ESPNMilwaukee.com.
Injured offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga confirmed he does not have a dislocated hip to reporters on Wednesday. “Bulaga said he suffered a small fracture in the hip capsule where the femur rests and that the prognosis for recovery is excellent,” writes Tom Silverstein. “He said he visited a specialist in Tennessee on Tuesday and that the fracture is healing well.” Bulaga also said he did not suffer the same injury as Bo Jackson, a rare subluxation of the hip. Whether Bulaga takes part in the Packers’ offseason practices is unknown, but from all indications, he should be ready for training camp.
More on Bryan Bulaga comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com.
Rookie offensive lineman Don Barclay is in line to make his first career start if Lang can’t go on Sunday, writes Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette.
Cornerback Tramon Williams has reportedly been fined $21,000 for his hit last week against Minnesota.
Wide receiver Donald Driver is trying to overcome a broken thumb, writes Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers talked about several topics on Wednesday, passed along by Fox Sports Wisconsin, JSOnline and the Wisconsin State Journal.
Wide receiver James Jones is remaining patient, according to Lori Nickel at JSOnline.
The return of Shea Allard to the Packers’ practice squad is mentioned at the Press-Gazette.
Articles on the Packers’ opponent this week, the Detroit Lions, come from Fox Sports Wisconsin and Packer Report, twice.
A preview of the Packers-Lions game is provided by the Associated Press.
The folks at JSOnline talk about the Ryan Grant signing in a video.
Video: Larry McCarren shares thoughts about his former coach Bart Star at NBC26…
Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America,” a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and an editor at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.
Filed Under: Charles Woodson • Daily Links • Injury Report • Packers News • Sam Shields • Secondary
I sure am glad Clays’ hammy isn’t as severe as the last one. Nagler, may I? Thanks… (Rolls eyes)
WHAAAA? Mike Neal is banged up? You don’t say.
These injuries are almost to the point of being laughable. Almost.
GBP 4 LIFE
I’ll feel good about Clay’s hammy when he gets back into practice. This “two weeks or so” “not as bad as all the other times, and he should know because it’s happened alot” thing has stretched out to a month. Some of Neal’s injuries at least have been out of his control. This thing with Clay’s hammy, either he needs a new personal trainer, or he needs to learn to try to give 105% instead of 110%. He doesn’t do the Packers any good by not playing.
three weeks ago i predicted that matthews would end up on ir.
it’s coming.
very difficult to envision a victory wo/lang wilson neal matthews nelson.
looks like we’ll be seeing even more nickel than usual.
OL is gonna get obliterated. GB will have to make sure to get that running game going to take some pressure off… oh wait… can’t run.
9-7
Go away viking/bear/lions jackbag.
(Lame reply about me not disputing substance-less comment in 3…2…)
you can hate me but you can’t dispute my substance-less comment!
Man, the Titans must be REALLY bad if even Cow42 thinks the Packers can beat them, since clearly the other 3 divisional teams have played nothing but flawless, injury-free football and will certainly win out.
the titan’s game is not the game they’ll win.
So, will you be happy or sad when they win 3 of their last 4 and win the division…?
no need to worry about it.
i’d be happy, though.
kinda like i’d be happy if i found $10000000000000000000000.
not gonna happen – but it’d sure be cool.
Neal hurt again?!!
shocking, I know
bye bye Neal after 2012!
SARCASM ALERT: Matthews has the same injury every single year. Matthews misses multiple games every single year. Let’s get rid of him too!
I like the standing o for ryno its gotta make him wanna play well! Go pack go!
I think it’s time the Packers either get a new trainer and/or medical staff, or just be honest about our injuries. They either misdiagnose injuries (players never come back when MM says they will), need surgery instead of just treatment (Jennings, Perry, etc), or are just flat out lying to the media when giving an injury report.
seriously have to consider it. unless they are being dishonest about the injuries, the number of times they’ve been wrong or injuries linger is staggering.
need new guys. its insane.
You must be new to watching the game. Teams rarely divulge factual details on injuries…until the have to (ie, surgery is required)
Yawn. Jamie, didn’t you write an article wondering why it took so long for packers staff to have Jennings see a specialist
thought so.
Um, Jamie doesn’t write for CHTV. Jayme does.
BOOM roasted! As if there’s only one Jamie/Jayme/Jaime/Jamey/Jaymie Packer fan in this world.
FTR…I defended our staff in that or another similar post.
Thank god you’re not a Patriots fan…
Clay plays hard every play, with a reckless abandonment thats why he is so good. Clay the predator matthews is scary good. Im glad evey team gets a tiny break from hom. Cant wait till perry learns the postion. Perry has an incredible strength
I wish cows phone and or computer would break for christmas……Santa…make it happpen.
My gfs a packers fan…..(jami) haha
What Starks is hurt again???