[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20081016&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=81016145&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]Starting safety Atari Bigby returned to practice on Thursday, a day after the hamstring he strained Sept. 14 at Detroit finally passed testing, and his return to the Green Bay Packers lineup could come Sunday against Indianapolis.

I thought he looked good, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. Its good to have him back out there. He was able to get some work, and well see how he responds to it. ... It was a big hurdle for him, and hopefully, we can get him ready for Sunday.

Aaron Rouse and Charlie Peprah have played extensively during Bigbys 4-game absence, and Rouse would get the start if Bigby isnt ready.

Unless he wakes up extremely sore this morning or has a setback, though, there seems to be a good chance Bigby will suit up and at least a decent chance hell start alongside Nick Collins for the first time in more than a month.

Asked whether Bigby could open it up, McCarthy said, Thats really the biggest part of the test. Anytime you have a hamstring injury, particularly in the perimeter skill positions, they have to have the ability to open it up. That was really what was holding Atari back.

Wells banged up again
[ul]Scott Wells left practice after the jog-through to rest the shoulder and chest strain he sustained Wednesday, but McCarthy said hes pretty confident his starting center will play on Sunday.

Hell see Dr. (Patrick) McKenzie (this) morning, the Friday exam, McCarthy said. I dont think its serious, though.

Wells missed large chunks of training camp and the preseason, plus the first three games of the regular season, because of a series of problems with his lower back. The latest injury isnt related, according to McCarthy.

With left tackle Chad Clifton (hamstring) also held out during team work, the Packers practiced with only one offensive lineman right tackle Mark Tauscher in his usual spot. If Wells cant play on Sunday, right guard Jason Spitz would slide back to center.[/ul]

Rodgers throws
[ul]Quarterback Aaron Rodgers did his first significant throwing in practice since spraining his throwing shoulder Sept. 28 at Tampa Bay, taking about half the snaps during team periods, and he wont throw again until warm-ups on Sunday.

McCarthy particularly wanted Rodgers to make all the situational throws, but it just got to a point in practice, where I just didnt want him to wake up tomorrow with his arm feeling like a Monday morning.

McCarthy said the work Rodgers did get was quality, that he threw with velocity and anticipation and that he could have probably practiced the whole practice if he needed to. So, were just trying to work our way back to where he can practice one time during the week and have the endurance where hes not the next two days trying to get swelling out of his shoulder.

Rodgers has played well the past two games in spite of hardly throwing during the week of practice, but its not an ideal situation.

Asked whether the timing has been where he wanted it in those games, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said, Considering all those factors, yeah. But we feel like this week, thats the key to beating (the Colts) defense, is being precise, getting the right spacing and the right depths just the fundamental things in your route execution and your anticipation between the quarterback and the receivers, based on obviously the coverages and all that.[/ul]

Jenkins on the mend
[ul]Defensive end/tackle Cullen Jenkins had surgery to repair his torn right pectoral muscle on Oct. 2 and expects to be ready for training camp, if not sooner.

Jenkins, who was off to a monster start before getting hurt at Tampa Bay, said he remains stiff and cant move his right arm much. Doctors have told him he probably can resume weightlifting in three to four months and could be fully recovered in six or seven months a timeline would have him available by May, when the Packers begin organized team activities.

Its unfortunate it happened, said Jenkins, who had 18 tackles (13 solo), 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defended in three-plus games before the injury.

But as far as from my confidence, I think it was big that I was playing the way I was playing. I think itll leave me a lot more motivated now going into next year.[/ul]

Health watch
[ul]Four players cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) and defensive linemen Ryan Pickett (tricep), Jason Hunter (hamstring) and Michael Montgomery (ankle) sat out practice for a second straight day.

Woodson will play Sunday, Hunter and Montgomery probably wont and Pickett could be a game-day decision, depending in part on whether hes cleared to practice Friday.

Cornerback Al Harris (spleen) wore a weight vest as he went through individual drills for a second straight day, but he almost certainly will miss a fourth straight game.

Receiver James Jones most likely will sit out for the third time in four weeks because of continuing problems with an injured knee.

Cornerback Pat Lee (back) returned to practice on a limited basis, while Rouse (concussion) was removed from the injury report.

For the Colts, linebacker Freddy Keiaho (groin) returned to practice.[/ul]

Odds and ends
[ul]-- After watching the film of Wednesdays practice, McCarthy said defensive tackle Justin Harrell looked like a football player that hadnt practiced in a while. We felt he did OK. Harrell, who underwent two back surgeries in the offseason, is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list for Sundays game, but the Packers have three weeks to make a move.

-- In excerpts of an interview posted on the NFLs Web site, veteran (and unemployed) cornerback Ty Law lobbied for a job and mentioned the Packers and Dallas as good fits. Law, who is 34 and spent the past two seasons with Kansas City, said he helped recruit Woodson to the University of Michigan. We have a close personal relationship, and that would be a great opportunity to get to play with him in Green Bay, Law said. The Miami Dolphins reportedly have been in touch with Laws representatives and could bring him in for a workout.[/ul]