Packers Daily Links: D.J. Smith Placed on Injured Reserve

The Packers made it official by ending D.J. Smith's season on Wednesday. That and more in today's Daily Links...

The Packers officially ended inside linebacker D.J. Smith's season on Wednesday by placing him on injured reserve. "The Packers did not fill Smith's roster spot, but they will probably use it for LB Frank Zombo or TE Andrew Quarless in the next three weeks," writes Tom Silverstein at JSOnline. "Both are on PUP and just became eligible to practice. They have three weeks to practice before a final decision on their status has to be made." In the meantime, attention turns to Smith's replacement(s) at inside linebacker, which could include Brad Jones, Rob Francois and Jamari Lattimore.

More on D.J. Smith comes from the Packers official website and Fox 11.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers landed on the Packers' injury report on Wednesday and was officially listed as a limited participant during practice with a calf injury. "Coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers would be evaluated Thursday morning before determining whether he would do more at practice Thursday than just some of the individual drills he took part in on Wednesday," writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Rodgers assured the media that the injury would not keep him out of Sunday's game against the Rams. Backup quarterback Graham Harrell got more practice time than usual with the first-team offense in Rodgers' absence.

More on Aaron Rodgers' minor injury comes from the Journal Sentinel, ESPNMilwaukee.com, Packer Report, Fox Sports Wisconsin, JSOnline and Packers official website.

More on Aaron Rodgers being named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com and Packers official website.

Rookie cornerback Casey Hayward is featured in an article by the Green Bay Press-Gazette for his solid play and possible promotion. "(Sam) Shields sustained a shin injury last week at Houston and is unlikely to play Sunday at St. Louis," writes reporter Pete Dougherty. "The Packers have three possible replacements in Hayward, Davon House and Jarrett Bush, but Hayward’s strong play, especially in the last couple weeks, makes him a strong candidate to become an every-down player while Shields is out." Hayward is receiving rave reviews after accounting for three interceptions in the past two games. It would be hard to deny him playing time at this point.

Another option at cornerback is to give some playing time to Davon House who is featured in an article at ESPNMilwaukee.com.

After fantastic performances Sunday against the Texans, the wide receiver trio of Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb deservedly received attention in the media on Wednesday. "Greg Jennings' rest continues," writes Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel. "It's on this trio to sustain the standard set at Reliant Stadium. They weren't thrilled answering questions about 'separation' last week. The separation has been there, Cobb said. Now, they're seeing firework results." It's hard to argue with the production of this group and the playing time they've been afforded. They're among the most dangerous weapons in the Packers' arsenal.

More on the wide receivers comes from the Press-Gazette.

With D.J. Smith now lost for the season, focus on the other inside linebackers comes from the Press-Gazette and Acme Packing Company.

Fox Sports Wisconsin has items on Randall Cobb and Aaron Rodgers.

Alex Green is featured in an article by Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel, including the influence Cedric Benson had on the young running back.

The Packers signed Green Bay native Drew Vanderlin to their practice squad on Wednesday. More on the practice squad additions comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com, PackersNews.com, Packer Report and Fox 11.

Danieal Manning of the Houston Texans was fined for punching Marshall Newhouse in this past Sunday's game.

The challenge of facing former Packer Scott Wells and his knowledge of the Packers offense is detailed at ESPNMilwaukee.com.

The challenge of winning back-to-back games is covered in articles by the Associated Press, Wisconsin State Journal and Fox 11.

JSOnline has items on Wednesday's practice, Mike McCarthy's press conference, the injury situation and a video on the offense.

Packer Report has articles on Aaron Rodgers and the St. Louis Rams.

B.J. Raji is cited giving his opinion about Nike's uniforms in an article by the Associated Press.

Cheesehead TV's own Zach Kruse writes about overcoming injuries in his weekly column at JSOnline.

The Bellin Health Gate at Lambeau Field is lit up in pink.

The rookie defensive backs of the Packers are featured at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Bleacher Report NFC North blogger Andrew Garda offers up a weekly progress report for the Packers.

Video: The crew at the Insiders give their weekly take on the Packers...

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 [email protected].

0 points
 

Comments (12)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Evan's picture

October 18, 2012 at 09:16 am

It's really amazing how many quality, young cornerbacks this team has. I'm excited for House to finally see the field this season.

0 points
0
0
calipackfan's picture

October 18, 2012 at 09:27 am

It sucks being a packer fan in California the games are at 10 in the morning after a big hang over from the previous day it sucks to get up at that time.

0 points
0
0
ohenry78's picture

October 18, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Could be worse -- you could live in Hawaii and watch the game at 7am.

That just sounds weird.

0 points
0
0
TheDon's picture

October 18, 2012 at 01:34 pm

It could be worse, games are on at 9 am in Alaska and it's early as hell on a Sunday.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

October 18, 2012 at 01:39 pm

And you live in Alaska.

0 points
0
0
aussiepacker's picture

October 18, 2012 at 05:21 pm

Could be worse- You could live in Australia the games are on at 5am on a monday morning if at all.

0 points
0
0
SpartaChris's picture

October 18, 2012 at 09:01 pm

I can solve your problem in two simple steps:

1) DVR

2) Don't drink so much the night before.

Problem solved.

0 points
0
0
denniseckersley's picture

October 18, 2012 at 10:01 am

Can the Bishop come back this year? Did they designate him for that new rule?

(I'm not taking "no" for an answer)

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

October 18, 2012 at 10:04 am

You're going to have to.

Benson has the special IR designation. Bishop can't come back.

0 points
0
0
greenbowl's picture

October 18, 2012 at 10:15 am

This Sunday may be a bit rough calipackfan....but I enjoy some coffee, 10am Packers....then ready for beer at least by half time. If Sharp is a real man he would apologize for his rhetoric.

0 points
0
0
Tundrabum's picture

October 18, 2012 at 10:27 am

Congrats to Drew Vanderlin. Making the team for a walk-on UDFA Green Bay native who grew up in the shadow of Lambeau Field has got to feel better than winning the friggin Lotto.

0 points
0
0
woodson4president's picture

October 18, 2012 at 03:22 pm

I love hayward i really do, but i hope he holds up playin every snap. Shields advantage is if he messes up hes fast as shit n can recover....usually.

0 points
0
0