McCarthy: Sherrod, Quarless Fail Physicals, Green, Kuhn Still on the Mend
By Zach Kruse on Jul 25, 2012 with 15 Comments
Packers coach Mike McCarthy gave the local media its first report in some time Wednesday on the injury statuses of several players, and there wasn’t much in terms of surprises.
Offensive tackle Derek Sherrod (broken leg) and tight end Andrew Quarless (ACL) failed their pre-training camp physicals Wednesday, while McCarthy said fullback John Kuhn (MCL) also hasn’t been cleared and may have failed. Running back Alex Green (ACL) is “very close to being ready,” although it sounds like he won’t be full-go for the start of camp.
Sherrod was injured during the Packers’ Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (December 18) on a nasty break of his lower leg. He was required to stay in Kansas City overnight to have emergency surgery, but the break was clean and no nerves were effected. There was optimism throughout the offseason that Sherrod would be ready to go by training camp, but it appears as if he had a setback sometime during the spring, according to McCarthy. He’s still close to being ready to go, but Sherrod’s chances of dethroning Marshall Newhouse atop the left tackle depth chart will diminish every day he misses of camp.
Quarless blew out his knee on another stomach-turning leg injury during the Packers’ regular season win over the New York Giants. His prognosis has always been dim, and there was talk that he could miss the majority of the 2012 season while the knee recovers. Not passing his pre-camp physical was to be expected. Best case scenario for Quarless is probably starting the season on the PUP list and then recovering in time to come off it by Week 6, but that might still be a long shot.
Kuhn’s inclusion on McCarthy’s list came to a shock for some, but we’ve known for some time about his slow recovery from an MCL injury he suffered in the Packers’ divisional round playoff loss to the Giants. McCarthy said that Kuhn may not pass his physical today, so there’s reason to think he’ll be held out of a chunk of training camp. In the meantime, Jon Hoese (2011 UDFA) and Nic Cooper (2012 UDFA) will take Kuhn’s snaps, just as they did during OTAs and minicamp.
Finally, Green appears to be a step ahead of the other three, and McCarthy sounded optimistic that he’ll be practicing with the team sooner rather than later. Green tore up his ACL during a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings in October. McCarthy also said he watched Green work out at the Don Hutson Center last week and came away encouraged.
One last note: McCarthy wasn’t sure about the status of safety Charlie Peprah. He may not be ready to go for the start of camp.
UPDATE: Green Bay released Peprah Wednesday afternoon.
Filed Under: Alex Green • Andrew Quarless • Charlie Peprah • Cheesehead TV • Derek Sherrod • injuries • John Kuhn • Mike McCarthy • Packers News
I, for one, hate this time of year because as usual, we find out which of our favorite Packers will not be a full go for camp. Very disappointing to me. My only consolation is that other teams will experience the same problem. Sherrod especially since Newhouse doesn’t have my full confidence. That’s just my problem, though.
Sherrod is a former first rounder and has all the physical gifts to be a starter in this league–he just needs reps. But him sitting out gives our younger guys more reps and it gives Newhouse those valuable reps he needs to step his game up.
I’m curious if others feel that Kuhn’s time in GB is limited? He has the knee issue that is bad enough that he might fail his physical (jsonline.com) and the Pack are high on Nic Cooper. Going with only 1 FB, Cooper would be a savings of nearly $2 million and he doesn’t have a knee issue. All the time Kuhn is out, is more time for MM and TT to fall in love with Cooper
Yes, to your question on Kuhn. His knee injury is more serious than we were originally lead to believe. Also,with a number of big contracts due to come-up, I wonder if they wouldn’t consider a cheaper option. But the more likely option to me seems that Kuhn could end up on the PUP. Which makes me wonder if the Pack would consider starting the season with no FB on the roster to help keep those extra WR’s.
Cobb could play FB, the man can do anything.
Raji at FB.
I LOVE this time of year! Next man up, get er did.
GBP 4 LIFE
More reps for Datko, and I’m glad he passed his physical.
Datko roster chances just went way up. Sherrod could end up on the PUP with Kuhn. Considering the PUP and suspended players due back during the season, the Pack could have a lot of players on retainer.
I feel like PUP is a stretch for Sherrod. All reports say he’s very close. And, I believe, if he practices at all he’s not PUP eligible, right? That’s how it works?
Right, if he practices he’s neutered from the PUP list.
Yeah, so, I don’t think that’s very likely.
Whoa, Peprah has been released?
Not that I liked him as a starter, but, man, the safety position is awfully thin.
Awfully young and untested….
I hope they told him before he flew into town. I know a couple people who have met him and all have said what a good guy he appeared to be. Not the best safety though…
Nah, I guess he was in town. Tyler Dunne is saying he didn’t do the running portion of his physical.