Partial
08-27-2007, 05:12 PM
Hodge leaning toward knee surgery
Abdul Hodge will get a second opinion on the patellar tendonitis in his knees Wednesday, and he's leaning toward having corrective surgery that would force the Green Bay Packers to place him on injured reserve for the second consecutive season.
"I definitely want to play, but I want to play to my potential, and I don't want to play in pain," Hodge said Monday afternoon. "When I play in pain, I'm not able to do the things I know I do. I don't look like myself, and I don't like that."
Hodge is scheduled to fly Wednesday to New York, where he'll be examined by Dr. Russell Warren, the New York Giants' team physician. If he opts for surgery, Hodge almost certainly would be placed on I.R., freeing up a roster spot before Saturday's 53-man cutdown.
Hodge sat out practice Monday for the 10th time in training camp.
Powdrell placed on injured reserve
The Packers got to the 75-man roster limit this afternoon by placing fullback Ryan Powdrell on injured reserve.
Powdrell, an undrafted rookie from Southern California, was expected to miss three to six weeks after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in an exhibition game Aug. 18 against Seattle. He was far from a lock to make the roster before the injury, so there's a good chance this is a temporary move until an injury settlement is reached.
The Packers cut 11 players Friday and had until Tuesday to get down to 75. The 53-man cutdown is Saturday.
Practice wrap-up
Coach Mike McCarthy said his starting secondary won't change this week, confirming that Atari Bigby will make his second consecutive start at strong safety.
The secondary is one of several positions that will be evaluated heavily this week, however, so Marquand Manuel could replace Bigby as early as the second series.
"Some guys may play one series; some starters may play three series," McCarthy said. "It's really about position."
Manuel got equal, if not more work alongside starting free safety Nick Collins in practice. Manuel, who started all 16 games a year ago, hasn't spoken with his reporters since his demotion last week.
Elsewhere ...
-- Junius Coston spent his second straight day at right guard with the first unit in place of Jason Spitz (calf). With Brandon Jackson sitting out, fellow rookie DeShawn Wynn and Noah Herron opened periods at running back.
-- As speculated earlier, practice was in shells, not pads, this morning because of low numbers. "We've got a number of guys that are out that we're just being really cautious with," McCarthy said.
-- McCarthy declined to specify how many spots on the 53-man roster remain undecided, saying only that Thursday's game will be important for evaluating many players.
-- T Orrin Thompson (knee) participated in contact drills, which he's sat out often since suffering a medial collateral ligament injury against Seattle on Aug. 18.
-- McCarthy said he called a running play instead of a pass in one situation last week against Jacksonville to set up a field-goal attempt, and he said he would consider doing the same this week. The play McCarthy referred to likely was a third-and-1 at the Jaguars' 20 midway through the fourth quarter. Noah Herron ran for no gain. Then, Mason Crosby converted a 38-yard field goal.
-- QB Paul Thompson threw three interceptions. Charlie Peprah got the first and Patrick Dendy the next two, one of them off a tip by Frank Walker. All of them, however, came during opponent work.
-- Walker, who it appears is fighting Dendy for the fifth and final cornerback spot, spent time alongside starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris in nickel situations. Jarrett Bush remains the No. 3 cornerback.
-- In his second day subbing in at tight end, international practice squad player Carl-Johan Bjork had a touchdown during opponent work.
-- Rookie LB Desmond Bishop intercepted Aaron Rodgers during opponent work.
-- And in the only competitive 11-on-11 period, Brett Favre was 3-for-4 with a 7-yard touchdown strike to Greg Jennings.
McCarthy: Jackson questionable with concussion
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson has a mild concussion and is questionable for Thursday's preseason finale at Tennessee. Jackson suffered the injury in practice on Sunday. It is his first concussion, coach Mike McCarthy said, but the team plans to address it cautiously.
"It's something that we're going to be very cautious with," McCarthy said. "We'll see how he's doing later today and then in the morning."
McCarthy said Noah Herron, the only non-rookie running back expected to play, would start Thursday if Jackson cannot. DeShawn Wynn also is expected to get a lot of carries, which coaches hope will free up Corey White to play some snaps at fullback.
In other injury news, tight end Donald Lee did not finish practice today. He was “banged in (Thursday's) game,” McCarthy said, and his knee may be bothering him.
Linebacker Abdul Hodge, who sat out the second straight day with patellar tendinitis in his knees, could be placed on injured reserve, McCarthy said. He is scheduled to get a second opinion this week.
Rookie Crosby again holds slight advantage over Rayner; Morency seen running on sidelines
Rookie Mason Crosby once again held a slight advantage over incumbent Dave Rayner during a field-goal drill. Crosby made both of his extra-point-attempts and five of six field goals.
His successful kicks came 37, 42, 47, 47 and 52 yards. His only miss was wide right from 52 yards.
Rayner made both of his extra-point-attempts and four of six field goals. His successful kicks came from 37, 42, 47 and 52 yards. He missed wide left from 47 and 52 yards.
Jon Ryan was the holder for all of the kicks and longsnapper Rob Davis snapped on all of the attempts.
*** Injured running back Vernand Morency was running along the sidelines in sweats while the team practiced today. Morency injured his knee in the first practice of training camp almost a month ago.
*** Receivers James Jones and Ruvell Martin each caught long passes along the sidelines during a team drill. Safety Charlie Peprah picked off a Paul Thompson pass intended for Calvin Russell. Later, Peprah was victimized by a Brett Favre-to-Greg Jennings touchdown pass.
*** The large contingent of fans that watched the early part of practice was ushered out of the building about 45 minutes into the workout.
Hodge at practice; Driver, Bodiford, Powdrell absent today
Linebacker Abdul Hodge arrived late to today's practice and is on the field. Hodge has been battling tendinitis in both his knees throughout training camp.
Injured players wide receiver Donald Driver, return specialist Shaun Bodiford and fullback Ryan Powdrell are absent again.
In addition, most of the same players who sat out Sunday's workout appear to be not practicing again. Players are working out in shorts, although the practice initially had been scheduled as a pads workout.
RB Jackson not practicing today
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson is not on the field for this morning's practice. Jackson suffered an upper body injury during Sunday's practice on an inadvertent hit from linebacker Brady Poppinga and did not participate in contact drills after that.
His status for Thursday's preseason finale at Tennessee is uncertain, but Coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that as a precaution, he will hold out a number of starters nursing injuries.
Rain moves Packers practice indoors
Practice is under way at the Don Hutson Center. It was raining steadily until about 10:40 a.m. and Clarke Hinkle Field appears soaked.
The team is letting in some fans for the early portions of practice, but they probably will not be allowed to stay for the entire 2 ½ hour session.
Today is the second-to-last practice open to the public.
Abdul Hodge will get a second opinion on the patellar tendonitis in his knees Wednesday, and he's leaning toward having corrective surgery that would force the Green Bay Packers to place him on injured reserve for the second consecutive season.
"I definitely want to play, but I want to play to my potential, and I don't want to play in pain," Hodge said Monday afternoon. "When I play in pain, I'm not able to do the things I know I do. I don't look like myself, and I don't like that."
Hodge is scheduled to fly Wednesday to New York, where he'll be examined by Dr. Russell Warren, the New York Giants' team physician. If he opts for surgery, Hodge almost certainly would be placed on I.R., freeing up a roster spot before Saturday's 53-man cutdown.
Hodge sat out practice Monday for the 10th time in training camp.
Powdrell placed on injured reserve
The Packers got to the 75-man roster limit this afternoon by placing fullback Ryan Powdrell on injured reserve.
Powdrell, an undrafted rookie from Southern California, was expected to miss three to six weeks after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in an exhibition game Aug. 18 against Seattle. He was far from a lock to make the roster before the injury, so there's a good chance this is a temporary move until an injury settlement is reached.
The Packers cut 11 players Friday and had until Tuesday to get down to 75. The 53-man cutdown is Saturday.
Practice wrap-up
Coach Mike McCarthy said his starting secondary won't change this week, confirming that Atari Bigby will make his second consecutive start at strong safety.
The secondary is one of several positions that will be evaluated heavily this week, however, so Marquand Manuel could replace Bigby as early as the second series.
"Some guys may play one series; some starters may play three series," McCarthy said. "It's really about position."
Manuel got equal, if not more work alongside starting free safety Nick Collins in practice. Manuel, who started all 16 games a year ago, hasn't spoken with his reporters since his demotion last week.
Elsewhere ...
-- Junius Coston spent his second straight day at right guard with the first unit in place of Jason Spitz (calf). With Brandon Jackson sitting out, fellow rookie DeShawn Wynn and Noah Herron opened periods at running back.
-- As speculated earlier, practice was in shells, not pads, this morning because of low numbers. "We've got a number of guys that are out that we're just being really cautious with," McCarthy said.
-- McCarthy declined to specify how many spots on the 53-man roster remain undecided, saying only that Thursday's game will be important for evaluating many players.
-- T Orrin Thompson (knee) participated in contact drills, which he's sat out often since suffering a medial collateral ligament injury against Seattle on Aug. 18.
-- McCarthy said he called a running play instead of a pass in one situation last week against Jacksonville to set up a field-goal attempt, and he said he would consider doing the same this week. The play McCarthy referred to likely was a third-and-1 at the Jaguars' 20 midway through the fourth quarter. Noah Herron ran for no gain. Then, Mason Crosby converted a 38-yard field goal.
-- QB Paul Thompson threw three interceptions. Charlie Peprah got the first and Patrick Dendy the next two, one of them off a tip by Frank Walker. All of them, however, came during opponent work.
-- Walker, who it appears is fighting Dendy for the fifth and final cornerback spot, spent time alongside starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris in nickel situations. Jarrett Bush remains the No. 3 cornerback.
-- In his second day subbing in at tight end, international practice squad player Carl-Johan Bjork had a touchdown during opponent work.
-- Rookie LB Desmond Bishop intercepted Aaron Rodgers during opponent work.
-- And in the only competitive 11-on-11 period, Brett Favre was 3-for-4 with a 7-yard touchdown strike to Greg Jennings.
McCarthy: Jackson questionable with concussion
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson has a mild concussion and is questionable for Thursday's preseason finale at Tennessee. Jackson suffered the injury in practice on Sunday. It is his first concussion, coach Mike McCarthy said, but the team plans to address it cautiously.
"It's something that we're going to be very cautious with," McCarthy said. "We'll see how he's doing later today and then in the morning."
McCarthy said Noah Herron, the only non-rookie running back expected to play, would start Thursday if Jackson cannot. DeShawn Wynn also is expected to get a lot of carries, which coaches hope will free up Corey White to play some snaps at fullback.
In other injury news, tight end Donald Lee did not finish practice today. He was “banged in (Thursday's) game,” McCarthy said, and his knee may be bothering him.
Linebacker Abdul Hodge, who sat out the second straight day with patellar tendinitis in his knees, could be placed on injured reserve, McCarthy said. He is scheduled to get a second opinion this week.
Rookie Crosby again holds slight advantage over Rayner; Morency seen running on sidelines
Rookie Mason Crosby once again held a slight advantage over incumbent Dave Rayner during a field-goal drill. Crosby made both of his extra-point-attempts and five of six field goals.
His successful kicks came 37, 42, 47, 47 and 52 yards. His only miss was wide right from 52 yards.
Rayner made both of his extra-point-attempts and four of six field goals. His successful kicks came from 37, 42, 47 and 52 yards. He missed wide left from 47 and 52 yards.
Jon Ryan was the holder for all of the kicks and longsnapper Rob Davis snapped on all of the attempts.
*** Injured running back Vernand Morency was running along the sidelines in sweats while the team practiced today. Morency injured his knee in the first practice of training camp almost a month ago.
*** Receivers James Jones and Ruvell Martin each caught long passes along the sidelines during a team drill. Safety Charlie Peprah picked off a Paul Thompson pass intended for Calvin Russell. Later, Peprah was victimized by a Brett Favre-to-Greg Jennings touchdown pass.
*** The large contingent of fans that watched the early part of practice was ushered out of the building about 45 minutes into the workout.
Hodge at practice; Driver, Bodiford, Powdrell absent today
Linebacker Abdul Hodge arrived late to today's practice and is on the field. Hodge has been battling tendinitis in both his knees throughout training camp.
Injured players wide receiver Donald Driver, return specialist Shaun Bodiford and fullback Ryan Powdrell are absent again.
In addition, most of the same players who sat out Sunday's workout appear to be not practicing again. Players are working out in shorts, although the practice initially had been scheduled as a pads workout.
RB Jackson not practicing today
Rookie running back Brandon Jackson is not on the field for this morning's practice. Jackson suffered an upper body injury during Sunday's practice on an inadvertent hit from linebacker Brady Poppinga and did not participate in contact drills after that.
His status for Thursday's preseason finale at Tennessee is uncertain, but Coach Mike McCarthy has indicated that as a precaution, he will hold out a number of starters nursing injuries.
Rain moves Packers practice indoors
Practice is under way at the Don Hutson Center. It was raining steadily until about 10:40 a.m. and Clarke Hinkle Field appears soaked.
The team is letting in some fans for the early portions of practice, but they probably will not be allowed to stay for the entire 2 ½ hour session.
Today is the second-to-last practice open to the public.