Driver's injury makes Jennings the top option 

Green Bay There's been no passing of the torch, officially or otherwise, because Donald Driver is confident he has a lot of good football left in him.

But with Driver slowed by a thigh injury that has been at least partially responsible for him not catching a pass since Oct. 17, Greg Jennings has become the go-to receiver in the Green Bay Packers' offense.

The combination of Driver's injury and the season-ending knee injury suffered by playmaking tight end Jermichael Finley in Week 5 has left Jennings as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' most reliable target, and the Packers' most dangerous weapon going into their game Sunday at Minnesota.

That's not necessarily by default, because Jennings led the Packers in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. But he doesn't have Driver in the slot to take some of the pressure off him.

Jennings has responded well, catching 25 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns over the last four games. That compares favorably with his totals (14 catches, 183 yards, 3 touchdowns) over the first five games.

"Slow weeks? I didn't have any slow weeks," a smiling Jennings said Wednesday. "I'm just trying to be consistent. When given the opportunities, I'm just trying to make plays. I've been given the opportunities, and I'm trying to make the best of them."

When Jennings caught just six passes over a three-game span ending Oct. 10 at Washington, the receiver's frustration boiled over. He yelled at his position coach, Jimmy Robinson, for not having the ball thrown his way and later apologized, calling his behavior "out of character."

Then Finley was injured early in the loss to the Redskins, and Driver went to the sideline with a quadriceps injury in the first half against the New York Jets on Oct. 31.

One week earlier, Driver's team-record streak of 133 consecutive games with at least one catch (139 including playoffs) had ended in the Packers' 28-24 victory over the Vikings.

With Driver ineffective and eventually inactive vs. Dallas, Jennings has played out of the slot more than he had in the past.

"I don't know if there's been a different emphasis," Jennings said. "I am switching and going inside more due to some of the injuries and 'Drive' not being out there. I'm inside, so there's different opportunities I'm getting because of where I'm located in the scheme."

Jennings has caught at least six passes in each of the last four games, a streak that includes an 86-yard touchdown against Miami and receptions of 30 yards against the Jets and 33 against the Cowboys.

But as good as Jennings has been over the last month, the Packers' offense would be that much better with the 35-year-old Driver back in the lineup and at full speed.

Driver practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, participating in the jog-through outside and then going into the Don Hutson Center to run.

"I had to run," Driver said. "Conditioning test. I did good, so I'm hoping it's OK to pull the trigger and let me go back to work."

He didn't know whether he'd be able to play against the Vikings on Sunday.

"I'm hoping everything works out, and I'll be able to play," he said.

In the meantime, Jennings is more than happy to shoulder the load.