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We need this guy down the stretch. Hopefully, he's over the injuries.
Jenkins improving:
By Tom Pelissero
If Ryan Pickett's strained groin prevents him from playing Sunday, starting right end Cullen Jenkins probably would play his biggest role this season at defensive tackle.
That might not be a bad thing for Jenkins, who coaches say has played some of his best football this season over the past few weeks, when he's shifted to his old position more and more in part because of season-ending injuries to Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole.
"I think you're seeing Cullen finally coming back to the form that he was," McCarthy said, adding he likes the matchup problems Jenkins (6-2, 303 pounds) creates inside against centers and guards, especially in pass-rushing situations.
In his first full season as a starter, after signing a four-year, $15.84 million contract in February, Jenkins has 42 tackles (27 solo) and a career-high eight passes defended. Though he has only one sack, Jenkins has been credited for with 22 quarterback pressures, tied for second on the team behind Aaron Kampman's 34.
Perhaps most important, he's healthier than he was while battling wrist, rib, ankle and knee injuries earlier this season. He hasn't been on the injury report since the week before the Packers played Carolina on Nov. 18.
"We expect (all) our guys to be the sack guys," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "But certainly, he's caused a lot of problems for our opposition in making the ball come out early or high. He's had decent pressure the past couple weeks."
By Tom Pelissero
If Ryan Pickett's strained groin prevents him from playing Sunday, starting right end Cullen Jenkins probably would play his biggest role this season at defensive tackle.
That might not be a bad thing for Jenkins, who coaches say has played some of his best football this season over the past few weeks, when he's shifted to his old position more and more in part because of season-ending injuries to Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole.
"I think you're seeing Cullen finally coming back to the form that he was," McCarthy said, adding he likes the matchup problems Jenkins (6-2, 303 pounds) creates inside against centers and guards, especially in pass-rushing situations.
In his first full season as a starter, after signing a four-year, $15.84 million contract in February, Jenkins has 42 tackles (27 solo) and a career-high eight passes defended. Though he has only one sack, Jenkins has been credited for with 22 quarterback pressures, tied for second on the team behind Aaron Kampman's 34.
Perhaps most important, he's healthier than he was while battling wrist, rib, ankle and knee injuries earlier this season. He hasn't been on the injury report since the week before the Packers played Carolina on Nov. 18.
"We expect (all) our guys to be the sack guys," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "But certainly, he's caused a lot of problems for our opposition in making the ball come out early or high. He's had decent pressure the past couple weeks."
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