Packers Calendar: PUP List Players Eligible to Practice
Derek Sherrod, Jerel Worthy and Sean Richardson are among the players can can practice for the first time in a scaled-back session Wednesday in Green Bay.
For the first time, players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list are eligible to practice beginning on Wednesday in Green Bay.
What that means is offensive linemn Derek Sherrod and J.C. Tretter, defensive lineman Jerel Worthy and safety Sean Richardson can suit up for the first time this season in a practice environment after being forced to sit out the first six weeks of the season.
While it's not likely Tretter is coming back from a broken ankle yet, the other three players are better candidates to return as soon as today.
Sherrod is coming back from a broken leg, Worthy from a torn ACL and Richardson from fusion surgery in his neck.
It's important to note that players on the PUP list don't have to start practicing today. They have a five-week window in which they can begin practicing and once that happens, a separate three-week window opens. By the end of three weeks, the Packers must either activate those players, place them on injured reserve or release them.
Worthy and Tretter would very likely be placed on injured reserve if they're not ready to return, but considering the serious nature of both Sherrod's and Richardson's injuries, they're in danger of being released if they can't adequately return to action.
Attention will also be upon a handful of players dealing with injuries that are not on the PUP list, in particular, linebacker Brad Jones and cornerback Casey Hayward. Both are dealing with hamstring injuries but seem likely to return to practice soon based upon the comments of head coach Mike McCarthy.
Exactly how much the entire team practices on Wednesday is up in the air. McCarthy said on Monday that they'd cut back practice on Wednesday vaguely referring to some things the team would be "transitioning" into.
Wednesday's injury report will be made public at Packers headquarters shortly before the start of McCarthy's press conference, which will be streamed live on the team's official website at Packers.com at approximately 1:10 p.m. CT.
In the evening, safety M.D. Jennings will host the weekly J-Mike and M.D. Show from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on The Fan 107.5 FM and 1400 AM in Green Bay from Thornberry Creek golf course in Oneida, where the show is broadcasted.
The show can be streamed online at TheFan1075.com.
Comments (20)
October 16, 2013 at 09:10 am
I seriously doubt that even if Sherrod isn't able to start practicing that the Packers would outright release him. No chance the Packers let a 1st round pick go w/o ever seeing if he can become a starter, much less a good player. That's just NOT how the Packers work. I get that fans are frustrated Sherrod hasn't been able to get on the field, but there is no chance the Packers would do that w/ Sherrod! None...
October 16, 2013 at 09:44 am
I agree with you as long as they think he'll have any chance of coming back from his injury. It could be that they don't think his leg will ever recover enough to play, but based on statements from the front office I doubt that's the case. I also have to imagine that the transition McCarthy is talking about is the readjustment from a 3-1-1 spread offense to a 2 WR primary set.
October 16, 2013 at 10:12 am
Totally agree. I'd be shocked if they released him now. Next off-season would be his last chance.
But, McCarthy did say he's ready to go and "will definitely" play this year. It's not McCarthy's style to speak in such definitive statements, so I'm optimistic.
October 16, 2013 at 10:21 am
Yeah, completely agree...
October 16, 2013 at 05:42 pm
Being able to play is one thing. I don't think he'll actually get offensive snaps tho. Have to be immediately better than the current starters and deserving of that playing time. 2 years is a lot of rust to knock off in a couple months. Just getting on the practice field is a big step.
October 16, 2013 at 11:30 am
The only way I can see them releasing him outright would be his practices are ineffective or he is in such bad shape and maybe attitude that letting him go is the only recourse.
If you recall, the Packers were expecting back mid season last year and then all of a sudden he was not able to play?
More going on behind the scenes with this guy then were being told.
October 16, 2013 at 09:59 am
Obviously. I don't think many NFL teams release former first round picks without seeing if they can play
October 16, 2013 at 10:13 am
Here's hoping Tretter can play and takes over G/C from GVR.
October 16, 2013 at 10:26 am
I do kind of wonder if they are thinking/hoping he will do. I didn't think there was a chance he would play this year, but maybe he is way ahead of his schedule and could actually play this year.
My concern with him is that he hasn't been able to practice at all. he got hurt in his first day of practice in the offseason. So I do question how ready he would be.
October 16, 2013 at 10:29 am
Yeah, it's not impossible he's healed - there was some comp people kept bringing up when he first got injured who came back the same season. But rust would be the biggest issue.
They currently have no true backup center and only Lane Taylor as backup guard, so they're pretty thin there. Tretter would solve all their issues.
October 16, 2013 at 11:19 am
Yeah, I would be interested to hear where is at in his recovery.
I agree that rust will be the biggest issue for him.
I agree Tretter would be a great option as a backup center. If he is capable of being that at this point. They have no other options right now so that would definitely be nice. I do really hope he can come in and play, but i'm not going to expect him to.
Right now the backup center position scares me the most of any other position. I think EDS is the number 2 most important person on the roster right now.
October 16, 2013 at 01:03 pm
If I understand what Brian said about coming off the PUP a player can resume playing as soon as week 7 (this week) or as late as week 15(with three games left). Tretter could wait until December 15th then against the Cowboys. That would be about seven months out from when he broke the ankle. Sounds possible to me, but the question would be would he be any good even if he were a 100% healthy. If he were, he would be a perfect choice to back up EDS or the guards. Of course, that's assuming nothing happens in the meantime to the o-line.
I agree with those who've said that there's very little chance they cut Sherrod. He is safe up through next years camp, unless he suffers some weird set-back.
Wonder if they take a chance on Richardson. I could see McMillian getting released if they give Richardson the green light(maybe even if they don't). I think McMillian was one of the last to make the roster.
I'd hold Worthy back for as long as I could. We might need him next year when we lose some bigs in FA. Else, only consider him if we get some injuries on the d-line. That's one position group that currently has some depth.
October 16, 2013 at 10:32 am
Based on the Packer speak of the past couple of weeks, I would be surprised if Sherrod is not added to the roster. JC Tretter is still on crutches, so an IR trip is in store for him and we will see him at training camp next year. Richardson will be released in my opinion, based on the decision the Packers make with Nick Collins. Jerel Worthy is the wild card for me, because of the serious nature of his surgery, I think the Packers will be prudent and stick him on the IR as well. But Worthy and Sherrod might both be on the 53 this year. my 2 cents
October 16, 2013 at 10:39 am
I think the nature of Worthy's injury and the already stacked D-Line makes Worthy all but destined for the IR.
October 16, 2013 at 11:14 am
I mostly agree..
But I had heard that Tretter has been off of crutches for a while? Do you know for sure he is still on crutches?
But yeah, my thinking right now with the depth on the DL that Worthy will be put on IR. But it doesn't hurt to practice him if he is ready.
October 16, 2013 at 11:17 am
Yeah, he tweeted on August 26th that he was finally off crutches.
@JCTretter 26 Aug
It feels great to finally get off the crutches! #backonmyown2feet
Almost 2 months off crutches...I wouldn't be surprised if he was able to play.
October 16, 2013 at 11:01 am
If worthy was healthy and he and datone played as well as we expected...wow this D would be nasty by the end of the year.
October 16, 2013 at 11:35 am
The d line looks pretty good right now. Put Worthy on ir and add a wide reciever to active list or a linebacker.
October 16, 2013 at 12:13 pm
If Sherrod comes back, is he a backup? Which tackle do you bench?
My sixth sense here is to not break up the offensive line chemistry, they are doing ok in pass protection and we are producing 100 yard rushers, DO NOT FIX WHAT IS NOT BROKEN
October 16, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Oh, absolutely he's a backup. I'd be shocked if he plays without an injury.