GREEN BAY, Wis. — Defensive coordinator Dom Capers made it sound like injured Packers defensive back Charles Woodson would play in the team's regular-season finale next weekend.
Woodson wasn't so sure about that. But one thing is certain: Woodson, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, will miss his eighth consecutive game Sunday with a collarbone injury. "I don't feel like I have to play in (the regular season), but it'd be great to just get out there and play football," Woodson said Friday at his locker. "Next week will kind of take care of itself, and we'll see if I can get out there and run around a little bit." Woodson added that he "feels good" and has been running around with his teammates at practice, but doctors have yet to clear him. If Woodson is unable to return before the playoffs, he'll have sat out more than two months after breaking his collarbone Oct. 21. But a veteran like Woodson isn't concerned about how well he will perform in a postseason setting without any game action in such a long period of time. "Whenever the time comes, I know how to play football," Woodson said. "That's one thing you don't (forget). Just because you have time off, it doesn't mean you forget how to play the game. I know how to play the game. I know the defense, and so when that time comes, I'll be ready." Capers, however, spoke frankly about getting Woodson back when the Packers conclude their regular-season schedule Dec. 30 in Minnesota. "We'll see next week when he comes back in there," Capers said without being asked directly about Woodson's status. "We know what ‘Wood' can do. He's a guy that, it doesn't take ‘Wood' a lot of reps. When they give him the OK, we'll get him back out there and get him worked in." Several other Packers players will join Woodson on the sideline for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson (hamstring) will be out for a third straight game. After a breakout season in 2011 in which Nelson had 1,263 receiving yards, injuries have slowed him to just 658 this year. Running back James Starks (knee), tight end Tom Crabtree (hamstring) and defensive end C.J. Wilson (knee) are also all out. Offensive lineman T.J. Lang and running back Alex Green both suffered concussions in last week's game. Lang is probable, but Green is questionable. "T.J. Lang has passed the concussion test," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Alex Green has one more hurdle to go through tomorrow. It's really been kind of a scheduling issue with everything that's going on. We feel pretty confident based on our medical staff that he should be available for the game." Quarterback Aaron Rodgers injured his ankle last weekend against the Bears, but he's been a full participant in practice all week. There was never any question Rodgers would play Sunday. Randall Cobb (shoulder) and center Jeff Saturday (neck/shoulder) are probable, while defensive end Jerel Worthy (hamstring) and offensive lineman Greg Van Roten (back) are questionable.
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