GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers will have to
try to survive at least one more game without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
While it comes as little surprise, Rodgers was officially ruled out of Sunday's
home game against the Minnesota Vikings.
"We're not going to get into that," coach Mike
McCarthy said Friday when asked about Rodgers. "I don't have a timetable
for you. He threw a little bit today."
Rodgers broke his left collarbone Nov. 4 on the opening
drive against the Chicago Bears. The injury was expected to take between 4-6
weeks to heal, so even if Rodgers returns on the early end of that, he'd also
likely miss the Packers' Thanksgiving game at Detroit.
"In order to play, I'm going to need to be on the
(practice) field two days before the game," Rodgers said this week.
"Just waiting the waiting game and see what happens."
Though Rodgers is certainly the most important player who's
sidelined for Green Bay, the Packers also ruled out starting right tackle Don
Barclay (knee), cornerback Casey Hayward (hamstring) and outside linebacker
Nick Perry (foot / ankle).
Marshall Newhouse will again start in place of Barclay, with
Mike Neal getting more playing time in Perry's absence.
Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly (groin) is doubtful.
"Johnny's played very good football for us,"
McCarthy said. "It's something that's been hanging with him all week.
Johnny will be challenged (to play)."
Green Bay has plenty of depth on its defensive line to make
up for the loss of Jolly. C.J. Wilson, who started seven games last season but
has been on the gameday inactive roster four times this year despite being
healthy, could get a chance to step into Jolly's spot in the 3-4 ‘okie' base
defense.
"With Johnny being doubtful, those other guys are going
to have to step up," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. "This is
a week, when Adrian Peterson is carrying the football, that you have to step up
and play well upfront. Be solid in your gap control, be disciplined."
Another significant injury that the Packers are dealing with
is to starting cornerback Sam Shields, who is questionable.
"It's been up and down," McCarthy said of Shields'
recovery from a hamstring injury. "We'll see how it goes. We've got 48
hours. We'll give Sam a chance to get ready."
Shields was probable going into last weekend's game but was
a surprise late scratch from the lineup. McCarthy stated earlier this week that
Shields is having "an excellent season," so going without him for a
second consecutive game could be trouble for Green Bay.
"We aren't sure where Sam is right now," Capers
said. "We played last week without Sam. Tramon (Williams) and (Davon)
House played the whole game outside last week. And based off of Sam's status,
we could end up with the same situation this week."
Shields only has one interception this season, but he's
clearly been the Packers' best cornerback in coverage this season.
"Sam is very important to this defense,"
cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said. "Him and Clay (Matthews) are probably
the two standouts right now, but we don't have him. So I'm not going to be in a
woe-is-me mentality right now. I'm going to be in, 'OK, Tramon, you just played
your best game. House, can we get both of you all's best game together.
Jarrett, (Bush) can we get your best game? Can we get six of them in a row and
get to where we need to be?' That's my mentality right now."
Yet another cornerback, Micah Hyde, who is also is the
team's kick and punt returner, didn't practice Thursday or Friday with a groin
injury, but he's listed as probable.
"I feel pretty confident he's going to go,"
McCarthy said of Hyde. "It's just something that's been bothering him
throughout the week. We're just being smart."
Green Bay's list of probable players also includes starting
center Evan Dietrich-Smith (knee), outside linebackers Matthews (thumb), Neal
(abdomen) and Andy Mulumba (ankle), as well as defensive lineman Ryan Pickett
(knee).
