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Notes: Wynn disputes IR move
He wants second opinion on injury
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 8, 2007
Green Bay - Rookie running back DeShawn Wynn said he thinks the nerve injury in his neck and shoulder isn't serious enough for the Green Bay Packers to have put him on injured reserve, but there's not much he can do about it.
Wynn said he disagreed with the doctor's assessment that it would take him until late in the season to recover from the injury, and felt like he could play even as early as this weekend or the next. Wynn plans to get a second opinion on the injury, which the club must pay for under the collective bargaining agreement.
"I didn't feel like it (was season-ending), but I'm no doctor," Wynn said Thursday. "We have such a good year going and when you start it you want to be a part of it until the end. But you have to take it like it is."
Wynn was injured on his only carry of the game against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 29 and did not return. His backup, Ryan Grant, took over and gained 104 yards in 22 carries, prompting coach Mike McCarthy to declare him the starter immediately after the game.
Given Wynn had gone through a series of conditions that kept him off the field, including illness, cramps, thigh and hand injuries, it's logical to think the Packers decided to shut him down and let him work on strengthening his body for next season. Wynn has been attending meetings regularly and is being encouraged to hit the weights as soon as he's healthy.
Asked if he thought the Packers sidelined him because of his many ailments, Wynn said, "You play with injuries, a lot of people in here play with injuries. I don't know."
As a result of landing on injured reserve, Wynn must take a reduced salary for the final nine weeks of the season.
A seventh-round pick, Wynn was forced to accept split salaries in the first two years of the contract, which means if he gets hurt he would receive two-thirds of his base salary.
In this case, his salary will drop from $285,000 to $190,000 during the time that he is on injured reserve. Wynn could file a grievance if he feels the Packers put him on injured reserve prematurely, but it would be for his outright release and not to get his full salary.
Status quo
McCarthy said that he had one-on-one discussions with the guards who are involved in an open competition this week to let them know he's not pleased with their play.
"This is something that has been going on for a couple weeks," McCarthy said.
In practice, McCarthy had Junius Coston, Jason Spitz and Daryn Colledge split snaps at the two guard positions for a second straight day. Coston practiced well, according to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, but McCarthy said his injured ankle wore down at the end of the workout and his status this week was still up in the air.
McCarthy said he would know more about Coston today. As for the starters, McCarthy will make a decision after he views all the practice tape.
High regard
Minnesota nose tackle Pat Williams has been a parked double-wide in the Packers' rushing lanes each of the last three games, and the coaches have taken time to address their inability to block him.
The Packers aren't alone in not being able to run against the Vikings, who rank No. 2 in the league in the run and have one of the top two tackle tandems in the NFL with Pat and Kevin Williams.
"We've sat down as a staff and watched every run we've run against those guys in the three games since coach McCarthy came here," Philbin said.
"Pat has been a disruptive player. We've addressed it and taken it into account in our scheme and obviously notified our players of our concern of what he's done on the field. And Kevin Williams, obviously, is a heck of a player, too."
Road to recovery
Cornerback Will Blackmon ran on the sideline during practice, but it's still uncertain whether he'll return this season.
Blackmon, who broke his foot in practice five weeks ago, is able to put increased pressure on the foot each week, but before he's cleared to practice medical tests will have to show that he can hold up under the strain.
"He's better this week than he was last week and that's all you can hope for," McCarthy said. "As long as he's making progress we'll keep moving forward. We scanned it Tuesday and he made progress. A lot of it has to do with how he feels."
Short yardage
The Packers added receiver Koren Robinson to the injury report with a sore knee, but he took part in a limited portion of practice.
Vikings receiver Sydney Rice (hamstring) did not practice after having limited participation Wednesday.
Safety Aaron Rouse took part in most of the full pads practice after being sitting out most of it the day before.
Defensive tackle Corey Williams (knee) appeared close to full strength.
He wants second opinion on injury
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 8, 2007
Green Bay - Rookie running back DeShawn Wynn said he thinks the nerve injury in his neck and shoulder isn't serious enough for the Green Bay Packers to have put him on injured reserve, but there's not much he can do about it.
Wynn said he disagreed with the doctor's assessment that it would take him until late in the season to recover from the injury, and felt like he could play even as early as this weekend or the next. Wynn plans to get a second opinion on the injury, which the club must pay for under the collective bargaining agreement.
"I didn't feel like it (was season-ending), but I'm no doctor," Wynn said Thursday. "We have such a good year going and when you start it you want to be a part of it until the end. But you have to take it like it is."
Wynn was injured on his only carry of the game against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 29 and did not return. His backup, Ryan Grant, took over and gained 104 yards in 22 carries, prompting coach Mike McCarthy to declare him the starter immediately after the game.
Given Wynn had gone through a series of conditions that kept him off the field, including illness, cramps, thigh and hand injuries, it's logical to think the Packers decided to shut him down and let him work on strengthening his body for next season. Wynn has been attending meetings regularly and is being encouraged to hit the weights as soon as he's healthy.
Asked if he thought the Packers sidelined him because of his many ailments, Wynn said, "You play with injuries, a lot of people in here play with injuries. I don't know."
As a result of landing on injured reserve, Wynn must take a reduced salary for the final nine weeks of the season.
A seventh-round pick, Wynn was forced to accept split salaries in the first two years of the contract, which means if he gets hurt he would receive two-thirds of his base salary.
In this case, his salary will drop from $285,000 to $190,000 during the time that he is on injured reserve. Wynn could file a grievance if he feels the Packers put him on injured reserve prematurely, but it would be for his outright release and not to get his full salary.
Status quo
McCarthy said that he had one-on-one discussions with the guards who are involved in an open competition this week to let them know he's not pleased with their play.
"This is something that has been going on for a couple weeks," McCarthy said.
In practice, McCarthy had Junius Coston, Jason Spitz and Daryn Colledge split snaps at the two guard positions for a second straight day. Coston practiced well, according to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, but McCarthy said his injured ankle wore down at the end of the workout and his status this week was still up in the air.
McCarthy said he would know more about Coston today. As for the starters, McCarthy will make a decision after he views all the practice tape.
High regard
Minnesota nose tackle Pat Williams has been a parked double-wide in the Packers' rushing lanes each of the last three games, and the coaches have taken time to address their inability to block him.
The Packers aren't alone in not being able to run against the Vikings, who rank No. 2 in the league in the run and have one of the top two tackle tandems in the NFL with Pat and Kevin Williams.
"We've sat down as a staff and watched every run we've run against those guys in the three games since coach McCarthy came here," Philbin said.
"Pat has been a disruptive player. We've addressed it and taken it into account in our scheme and obviously notified our players of our concern of what he's done on the field. And Kevin Williams, obviously, is a heck of a player, too."
Road to recovery
Cornerback Will Blackmon ran on the sideline during practice, but it's still uncertain whether he'll return this season.
Blackmon, who broke his foot in practice five weeks ago, is able to put increased pressure on the foot each week, but before he's cleared to practice medical tests will have to show that he can hold up under the strain.
"He's better this week than he was last week and that's all you can hope for," McCarthy said. "As long as he's making progress we'll keep moving forward. We scanned it Tuesday and he made progress. A lot of it has to do with how he feels."
Short yardage
The Packers added receiver Koren Robinson to the injury report with a sore knee, but he took part in a limited portion of practice.
Vikings receiver Sydney Rice (hamstring) did not practice after having limited participation Wednesday.
Safety Aaron Rouse took part in most of the full pads practice after being sitting out most of it the day before.
Defensive tackle Corey Williams (knee) appeared close to full strength.
) all the running backs in Green Bay the last 30 years. It was a 
to see how many wannabees have passed through Lambeau. Names that were once so familar and promising. "Chris Darkins" - he's fast, gonna be good. "Jessie Clark". On and on.
) 
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