Not much stands in the way of outside linebacker Clay Matthews playing this week against the Minnesota Vikings.

Matthews, who sat out last week because of a hamstring injury, officially was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day Thursday. But he progressed to taking part in some team drills, which is a strong indication the NFLs sack leader will be healthy enough to start Sunday unless he shows up to work unexpectedly sore Friday morning.

Well see where he is tomorrow, coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday after practice. Were heading in the right direction, thats for sure.

McCarthy is giving no indication whether hell play cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby this week both are eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list but its looking like each has a chance. McCarthy has until Saturday to activate them.

Atari had a nice interception in practice today, McCarthy said. Al, I think, has looked more and more comfortable. Hes still jumping routes, particularly in the team periods.

Halfback James Starks (hamstring) also is on PUP and began practicing this week, but hes been doing only individual-type work.

Injury roundup
Receiver Donald Driver missed the first two practices of the week because of a quadriceps injury but expects to play Sunday. Since Drivers second NFL season in 2000, hes missed only five of a possible 166 games.

Youve seen my history. Im going to play, you dont have to worry about that part of it, Driver said. Im feeling better. Its just one of those things, you get banged up and you feel like you can still (practice), but the organization has to (do) whats best for you. They looked at it and said Ive never taken days off and never had something like this, they realized I need to rest it to be ready for Sunday.

Cornerback Charles Woodson was excused from practice for personal reasons. He also has an injured big toe but is expected to play.

Inside linebacker Brandon Chillar appears to have a decent shot at returning this week from a shoulder injury thats sidelined him the past three games. He was able to practice back-to-back days, though not full time, for the first time since getting hurt.

Starting defensive end Ryan Pickett (sprained ankle) was a limited participant in practice Thursday but might be a week away from playing.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday. He hasnt missed a game in his five-year career, so its hard to bet against him keeping that streak alive.

Right tackle Mark Tauscher (shoulder) has been a limited participant but appears to be a week away from suiting up. McCarthy said Tauscher probably is somewhere between questionable (50 percent chance of playing) and doubtful (25 percent chance of playing).

Linebacker Brady Poppinga had arthroscopic surgery on his knee this week and will miss several weeks at least. They found a little more in there than we expected, McCarthy said.

Defensive end Mike Neal (shoulder) wont practice this week and is out.

Rookie offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse injured his back Wednesday and didnt practice Thursday. He hasnt suited up for a game this season.

Barnett update
Starting linebacker Nick Barnett said he had little chance of returning from a broken wrist this season after doctors found his scaphoid ligament torn from the bone in his right wrist.

Barnett, who had surgery last week, was hoping doctors could staple his ligament in place, which would allow him to return in about a month. But with the ligament torn from the bone, he had to have a pin implanted to secure the ligament, which killed his chances of returning this season.

Though he will have the cast on his wrist removed in eight weeks, hes unable to return to football until the pin is removed, which is about four weeks after the cast comes off. So at the earliest, he wouldnt have been ready to play until the week after the regular season ends, and possibly later. The Packers placed him on injured reserve last week.

Barnett said if the injury had been to his left wrist he would have waited until after the season to have surgery, but because of the risk of permanent injury he couldnt jeopardize his strong hand.

For the rest of my life, its going to be kind of hard to not use your right hand the way you need to use it, he said.

Vikings update
The Vikings look like theyll get back starting center John Sullivan (calf) and rookie cornerback Chris Cook (knee) from injuries after both practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday and Thursday. Cook is a likely nickel cornerback. Safety Husain Abdullah (concussion) hasnt practiced and probably wont play.