Win or lose, the injuries continue to mount for the Green Bay Packers. The team earned a huge victory with a 9-0 triumph over the New York Jets on Sunday, but lost a starting receiver and return man in the process.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that kickoff return man Pat Lee likely will miss Sunday nights game against the Dallas Cowboys and receiver Donald Driver (quadriceps strain) is questionable to practice this week. Driver has been bothered by the quad injury going on three weeks. He was held without a reception in the wins against the Minnesota Vikings and the Jets after setting a franchise record with a catch in 133 consecutive games.

(Drivers) had actually two separate injuries to his quad, McCarthy said. He initially had a quad bruise and then had a quad strain on top of it. Donalds a fighter. Just the fact, as Ive stated before, when he misses practice, its very unusual.

We felt that giving him the time off this week, hed be able to play in the game. He pushed through it last week but was unable to get through the Jet game (Sunday). Well probably take a little more cautious approach with him this week.

Lee sustained an ankle strain and did not field a kickoff.

The loss of Driver and Lee puts a significant strain on the return game. Jordy Nelson normally would take over on kickoffs, but he will have a larger role in the pass game with Driver out. The Packers run the risk of losing another pass-catcher, with tight end Jermichael Finley out for the season, if Nelson is used as the kickoff returner.

Special teams coach Shawn Slocum said Nelson, running back Dimitri Nance and cornerback Tramon Williams are options.

(Nance is) a skilled running back, thats why hes a tailback, Slocum said. I think our return scheme fits his abilities.


Much needed

Punter Tim Masthay had his best performance as a Packer on Sunday in a game where the team absolutely needed it. The punting phase continually provided field position on a day when points were scarce.

The punting performance is the finest punting I cant tell you how good this feels to say this this is the finest punting performance Ive Im not exaggerating, Im not dramatic the finest punting performance that Ive ever been a part of in all my years on both sides of the ball, McCarthy said. I cant tell you how happy I am for Tim. It makes me want to cry. I thought he was tremendous. That was, you talk about a field-position game. I thought that was remarkable.

He just needs to do it every week now and well be fine.

On eight punts, Masthay averaged 41.5 net yards with a long of 55 yards and five downed inside the 20-yard line. He had net punts of 55, 48 and 51 yards in the first quarter. The Jets didnt yield a single yard on punt returns all day.

I think Tim has matured as weve gone through the season, Slocum said. His challenge is being able to stack success.


Injury update

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers sprained an ankle Sunday but is not expected to miss any practice, McCarthy said. Tight end Andrew Quarless has a shoulder sprain.

Meanwhile, the Packers have until Monday to make a decision on cornerback Al Harris, safety Atari Bigby and running back James Starks. The trio started the season on the physically unable to perform list. The team has to either activate them, place them on injured reserve or release them.


Huge on D

McCarthy couldnt say enough good things about his defense. The Packers put together the first NFL shutout of 2010 against a Jets team many expect to challenge for a Super Bowl berth. The shutout was the first on the road for the Packers since 1991.

Anytime you can say you did something that hasnt happened for 20 years for the Green Bay Packers, thats obviously significant, McCarthy said. But were a damn good run defense. We led the league in run defense last year.

That was the first two objectives that went up when we talked to the defense was to stop the run and take the football away when we make them go to the passing game.

Making the effort even more impressive is the fact the front seven was without starters Ryan Pickett (ankle), Brad Jones (shoulder) and backup Mike Neal (shoulder).

Defensive tackle Howard Green played about 35 snaps despite being signed last week. He finished with a tackle and helped plug the gaps with his 6-foot-2, 365-pound frame.

The Packers picked up Green off waivers from the Jets, who had issues with his weight.

We kind of like big guys, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. A couple weeks ago when you looked at us from behind, those rear ends werent quite as wide as they were out there (Sunday). Those linebackers like those wide rear ends because they use up more blocks.

I think were a great example you cant ever have too many big guys. (When Pickett) comes back well find a way to utilize all those guys, especially if were playing a team like yesterday that likes to make a commitment to run the football.