In an article appearing at the Green Bay Press-Gazette's PackersNews.com, reporter Wes Hodkiewicz explains the neck surgery and recovery to safety Sean Richardson. After suffering a herniated disc last season, Richardson underwent a procedure by Dr. Robert Watkins who also performed neck-fusion surgery on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. "There was some fear following his MRI that he would need a two-level fusion procedure that would fuse three vertebrae together, but Watkins found that unnecessary once the procedure began," writes Hodkiewicz. "Richardson was put on bed rest for two weeks after the surgery before progressing into neck-muscle rehab and so on. Presently, Richardson said he’s on Step 4 of his five-level process before doctors reexamine the neck through another MRI." Richardson has not taken part in the Packers OTAs, but is optimistic that he'll return for training camp.

Defensive lineman Jerel Worthy maintains that he'll be ready to contribute at some point in 2013 despite tearing his ACL late last season. “I’m not really putting a time limit on it. They will see me at some point in time this season,” Worthy is quoted as saying by Hodkiewicz at PackersNews.com. “The earliest I can be back and be most effective, I’m ready to go. I’m just going to try to continue to working and keep continuing to keep striving. As I’ve said before, I haven’t had any setbacks to this point. It’s all been positive coming from my corner, so I just want to continue to stay on that path and continue to get better.” Last year during the offseason tight end Andrew Quarless was expressing optimism that he would play in 2012 too. Nobody is counting Worthy out yet, but past history tells us that maybe players' expectations sometimes exceed reality when coming back from injury.

Kicker Mason Crosby discussed having competition for his job with the team's official website. “It definitely puts a little added competitive juice in there," Crosby is quoted as saying, referring to fellow kicker Giorgio Tavecchio. "I feel like it’s been good for me. I’ve been hitting the ball well and competing, and from top to bottom on this team, that’s how we excel and how we get better.” Because of his experience and investment the Packers have made into Crosby in the form of a long-term contract worth millions of dollars, he would really have to tank it for the Packers to cut him and go with the untested Tavecchio this season.

Defensive coaches Dom Capers and Joe Whitt comment on Packers cornerback Casey Hayward in an article appearing in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Linebacker Desmond Bishop is the subject of articles at the Press-Gazette and Packer Report.

In a reprisal of similar articles previously written at other outlets, ESPNMilwaukee.com takes on the Packers' fumble forcing issue, Fox Sports Wisconsin has more on Mike Neal and the Associated Press has more on Johnny Jolly.

Thoughts on sixth round draft choice Nate Palmer are shared at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Cornerback Tramon Williams is the subject of an article at Packer Report.

Acme Packing Company has a variety of blog posts on Sam Shields, Aaron Rodgers, right tackle and the defensive line.

Lombardi Ave. has items on linebacker Terrell Manning and defensive lineman Mike Neal.

Video: Offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith met with winners of the Packers' NFL Play 60 Challenge...

Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].