Injury Update at Packers Training Camp: Who's Returning? Who's Dropping Out?
First round draft choice Datone Jones returned to practice on Wednesday. So did wide receiver Randall Cobb, but the team is "being cautious" with his biceps.
Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed reports that offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga will have surgery sometime next week.
While there's a remote possibility that the Packers could use their one "designated for return" option for an injured reserve player on Bulaga, McCarthy said if he has surgery, "I don't see him playing this year."
Here's what's happening with the rest of the walking wounded...
Returning to Practice
Defensive lineman Mike Neal, abdomen
Commentary: Neal passed his physical, has been taken off the PUP list and practiced for the first time this training camp. The Packers worked him back in limited fashion, where he practiced at outside linebacker, but McCarthy said he remains a defensive lineman. As fate would have hit, Neal reportedly had his foot looked at by trainers during practice, which has just about been par for the course for a player who can't seem to stay healthy for long.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb, biceps
Commentary: Cobb returned to practice on Wednesday after dropping out on Tuesday, but he wasn't observed doing much of anything. McCarthy said they're "just being cautious with his bicep." The fact that Cobb is practicing in any fashion would be a positive, especially because so many other wide receivers are being held out (Jordy Nelson, Charles Johnson, Kevin Dorsey), but Cobb's situation is worth monitoring.
Defensive lineman Datone Jones, illness
Commentary: Jones only missed one day of practice, so there doesn't seem to be any concern. On a day that the Packers' second-round draft choice dropped out, it was good news that their first-rounder came back.
Running back Alex Green, knee
Commentary: Green only missed one practice after his surgically-repaired knee flared up on him, but he was back in action on Wednesday. McCarthy said, "I thought he looked good." With Eddie Lacy dropping out, Green will be looked at to receive even more reps in the rookie's absence.
Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly, cramps
Commentary: For the second time during the 2013 training camp, Jolly dropped out of practice late in the session to return the next day. Considering hydration was likely the only issue, he should be fine.
Dropping Out of Practice
Running back Eddie Lacy, hamstring
Commentary: One day after essentially establishing himself as the starting running back in Green Bay and receiving more reps with the starters than anyone else, Lacy didn't practice at all on Wednesday with a hamstring issue. McCarthy said, "I haven't been given any information to be concerned, long-term." That's good, but a hamstring injury for a running back is nothing to overlook.
Still Out
The following players' status hasn't changed (anticipated return in parentheses):
- Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, knee (regular-season opener)
- Cornerback Casey Hayward, hamstring (a couple weeks, as of 7/26)
- Cornerback Tramon Williams, knee (a couple weeks, as of 7/30)
- Running back DuJuan Harris, knee (two or three weeks, as of 7/30)
- Offensive lineman Derek Sherrod, leg (undetermined, on his "last hurdle," according to McCarthy)
- Wide receiver Charles Johnson, knee (undetermined)
- Wide receiver Kevin Dorsey (undetermined)
- Tight end Andrew Quarless, quad (undetermined)
- Tight end Ryan Taylor, knee (week to week, as of 8/6)
- Safety Sean Richardson, neck (undetermined)
- Defensive lineman Jerel Worthy, knee (undetermined)
- Offensive lineman J.C. Tretter, ankle (regular season at the earliest)
Comments (21)
August 07, 2013 at 12:32 pm
what hells going on out their !!!!!!!!!
August 07, 2013 at 01:33 pm
Lacy... Sigh.
August 07, 2013 at 01:38 pm
No worries mate......Franklin is going to be badass in his own right. Now with Cobb.....be careful MM very careful! I dont wanna make the 15 hr drive up there to beat some ass but I will!!!
August 07, 2013 at 01:37 pm
Once again... what is with this team and their FREAKING HAMSTRINGS??!!!
August 07, 2013 at 02:15 pm
Oh yeah so...can I expect a good dose of franklin Fri nite? Anyone know?
August 07, 2013 at 02:25 pm
Harris - knee
Green - knee
Lacy - hamstring
Starks - body
Geez.
Predictions...
Harris starts season on PUP.
Green gets cut.
Pease on practice squad.
Lacy does next to nothing for the rest of the preseason.
STARKS WILL BE OPENNING DAY STARTER.
Franklin will be #2 RB until Lacy is back to 100% at which time Starks will go from #1 to #3.
Kuhn makes the team due to the fact that Harris, Green, and Pease will not be active week 1.
If (when?) Starks gets hurt this preseason... Franklin could be all by himself vs SF.
August 07, 2013 at 02:37 pm
If you're going to continue to make these predictions, it's only fair to keep a tally of your success rate.
Off the top of my head, you "predicted" Jones would miss the next two weeks and Neal would miss between 4-12 weeks or something. That's 0-2 right there - and I'm sure I'm missing several. You might have better luck throwing darts.
August 07, 2013 at 02:50 pm
Don't forget 6-10.
August 07, 2013 at 03:00 pm
Lol shut up cow
August 07, 2013 at 03:03 pm
haha...of course not.
Wait...it was 6-10 before Bulaga cost them another two wins. So, 4-12?
August 07, 2013 at 06:14 pm
I actually said between 6 and 8 wins.
Bulaga's bum knee has me leaning towards the low end of tat prediction.
GO PACK GO.
August 07, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I think Lacy will be fine, Steven Jackson and Arian Foster deal with soft tissue injuries like once a year and they come out fine. Plus McCarthy said it had been bothering him which means that it's probably been like that for a few days and he played through it just fine, they just didn't want to take any chances. It is only preseason, after all.
August 07, 2013 at 02:53 pm
If this injury crap keeps-up we may be able to actually test the adage; "As long as we have Rodgers, we'll be fine."
Does anybody have any idea what is wrong with Harris' knee? MJS did a feature on him a while ago and even though they interviewed him and mentioned he had a knee injury, they didn't address what was wrong and how it happened. Why is nearly every injury such a top-level secret?
August 07, 2013 at 08:59 pm
I almost get the feeling that McCarthy is purposely holding back DuJuan Harris in the fact they are absolutely thrilled with him and don't need to see much if anymore from him. His time off could be more to give the younger guys more reps so they can get the absolute best evaluation of them including one more look of Starks and Green.
If McCarthy has Harris penciled in as the starter that says alot about how he feels about him. Basically Harris is a lock to make the team. This knee injury is probably bogus for the most part. No way is McCarthy going to cut a Barry Sanders clone. No way!!
August 07, 2013 at 03:20 pm
-_____- Are. You. Kidding. Me??? Either our medical staff SUCK, the field the Packers use is terrible, or the equipment the Packers use, is awful. Either way, something's wrong, AND IT MUST BE FIXED.
August 07, 2013 at 04:13 pm
...and just think - all these injuries and we haven't even played a preseason game yet
August 07, 2013 at 06:34 pm
I hope to God I never have to face Derrick Sherrod's "last hurdle".
August 07, 2013 at 08:52 pm
This was the world's most perfect post.
August 07, 2013 at 07:25 pm
I don't monitor other teams "injuries". Maybe it's like this all over. Just a very cautious approach? At this point? Often you hear players say "if it were a regular season game I'd be playing".
August 07, 2013 at 07:43 pm
I'm stationed in Maryland, and as a result have to endure Redskins talk radio. Yes, injuries are everywhere. They're even worried about RGIII around here.
August 09, 2013 at 12:12 am
Isn't RG3 saying he's good as new but he won't play at all in preseason?