Harris Avoids Talk About Timeframe For Return

Cornerback Al Harris also deferred to head coach Mike McCarty whether or not he passed or even took a physical last week.

GREEN BAY - Cornerback Al Harris did not participate at Green Bay Packer training camp practice on Sunday. And when asked this afternoon about his possible return, Harris failed to give any real information.

"Just waiting, man," Harris said on Sunday. "Not going to step out there too early, not going to step out there too late. So [I] just do what I gotta do for me, personally, to feel right and make the organization feel right. So I won't step out there and ruin my reputation. Or I won't step out there to do anything detrimental to the team. So we're just taking it day by day, see how it feels and listen to the knee."

Noteworthy was Harris' response to a question from a reporter about whether he passed a physical or just didn't take a physical last week. He said to ask Coach McCarthy and wouldn't answer the question himself.

Given a report by Brad Biggs on the National Football Post (for which Harris' agent Jack Bechta is a part owner of the website) that Harris cold have returned to practice as early as Monday Aug. 23, it's becoming increasingly understandable for observers to become skeptical of a return by the defensive back in time for Week 1 of the regular season.

In fact, Bechta told Cheesehead TV's own Packers Lounge on Twitter that Harris would be 100% ready for game three of the preseason, which has now come and gone.

Head coach Mike McCarthy retained a bit of optimism that Harris could return in time for the regular season opener on Sunday Sept. 12 at Philadelphia.

"I haven’t ruled him out to making our 53-man roster," said McCarthy following Sunday's practice session.

Harris is currently on the active Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, in which he counts toward the current 80-man roster limit. If he remains on the PUP list on Week 1 of the regular season, Harris is required to sit out the first six weeks of the regular season, although he won't count against the 53-man roster. After six weeks, the Packers must choose whether to activate him or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

With every day that passes, it's becoming more and more likely that Harris will not be ready in time for Week 1.

"Through this whole process, everybody has been extremely supportive," said Harris. "And they've basically told me to do what I need to do to get right. At this point, it wouldn't be fair to them or me to do anything else but that. That's how I'm taking it. When I feel good enough to play, then that's when you guys will see me. "

Harris wouldn't rule himself out of making the 53-man roster in time for the regular season.

"There's always hope," said Harris.

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Comments (6)

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MadMan's picture

August 29, 2010 at 09:06 pm

If Harris can't make it back by week one they need to put him on the PUP. I think it wold be better to take the guys that are healthy and been working out to carry on for the first six weeks. Clearly the dove don't think he has healed enough or gotten back the range of motion in the knee joint to perform at the NFL level. I know we all would like him to come back ASAP but I see nothing wrong with waiting. If he gets hurt in week 1 or 2 we will have to play the guys we got anyhow and they would miss out on all that experience.

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andrew harman's picture

August 29, 2010 at 09:34 pm

in my opinion if he is not ready before week 1 he probably wont ever be ready... he is an old guy. its not something that you can sit out with for a prolonged period of time especially at his age... he either recovers and is ready to go or he is gonna sit.. and get more and more worried about whether he can perform.. and never gets back to 100%.. if anythin.. i think they can use him as a dime back week 1 if he is able to move around.. its best to get him back on the field he either is ready or he will end up retiring.. knee injuries arent things u wait on. u gotta push it and work it and get back to the grind so if you ask me this is not good news at all for al or our team.. look for a trade for a corner soon i dont trust our depth past tramon

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CJ in Guatemala's picture

August 30, 2010 at 01:34 am

Can't really understand your reasoning about him being able to play or get traded/cut/released on September when the season starts... It's not like the guy can't move his leg or anything, they are just probably being really cautious about it and i tend to think that's from McCarthy's side more than anything, seeing at how he treated guys with injuries this whole off-season.

I mean if you watch any of the videos that Harris released when he was on rehab, it's just mind blowing the kind of drills he was able to do just months after the operation. Think of what he can do now... and i don't know about you but i would prefer Harris at 80% than Jarrett Bush in the mix if CW or Tramon get injured for example.

Just my 2 cents.

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dgtalmn's picture

August 30, 2010 at 07:25 am

Saw the interview, as always Al does a great job with the media. I could tell when the one reporter asked him the same question twice, Al actually told him that. I kind of picked up a little look in his eye that you are a moron. He handled it well.

As for playing, the videos on him looked good, but since I cannot see anything else, you have to believe they are making sure he is good to go. For you others, I'd rather have an "old" Al Harris back there then some of the other choices.

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Bogmon's picture

August 30, 2010 at 08:11 am

I'd have to agree with most of the sentiments in earlier posts. It is much more important to have Harris later in the season, fully recovered and ready to go, than push him out there and have him damage something at an inconsequential stage of the season.

Al Harris's return mid-season will be an excellent morale boost for this squad and could give them a great emotional lift heading into the latter of half of the season on to what looks to be a potentially deep post-season run.

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dilligaff's picture

August 30, 2010 at 08:57 am

I agree with MM if he thinks the best move is for Harris to sit out the first 6 games for two reasons

First to make sure he is totally recovered

Second he is 35 years old, save him for the second half of the season so that he is fresh.

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