Hawk, who has been sidelined three weeks with a chest muscle strain, took part in a limited portion of practice inside the Don Hutson Center, according to coach Mike McCarthy. During the segment open to reporters, Hawk didn't do much but McCarthy said he was allowed to bang around without any restrictions.
"He was in the middle of it," McCarthy said.
Hawk injured himself in the exhibition opener tackling Cincinnati tight end Ben Utecht and had been held out of any contact until his return Thursday. Over the past week or so, Hawk has been pushing hard to get cleared to return, but the medical staff played it safe and waited until it was sure he was ready.
McCarthy did not speculate on whether Hawk would be ready for the Vikings and Hawk was not available for comment after practice. But all indications are that he has made a lot of progress.
"We knew that A.J. was going to rehab at a rapid pace, and in his mind he feels he has been ready for quite some time," McCarthy said. "As far as movement and so forth, I think he is really past all of those stages, whether it's pushing, reaching, pulling. It's just a matter of Pat McKenzie, our doctor, clearing him to play."
The Packers do not have to submit an injury report listing Hawk's chances of playing until Saturday. They only have to report whether he practices until then.
During Hawk's absence, backup strong-side linebacker Brandon Chillar has been playing on the weak side. He would start if Hawk was unable to play. Hawk plays in the team's nickel package as well as in the base defense.
Up and down
The in-again out-again status of center Scott Wells continues to leave the offensive line up in the air.
Wells returned to practice after a two-week absence Monday, but then had a recurrence of the side injury that has bothered him most of camp. The Packers did more tests on Wells to see if they could pinpoint the problem and are hoping to have the answer.
McCarthy said Wells could be back in time for the opener, but he's not sure. Wells did not practice Thursday.
"They feel they may have a handle on it," McCarthy said. "Scott is going to get some treatment and it could be one day or it could be a couple of weeks (that he's out). I talked to him right before practice. He was very encouraged with his visit, and we'll see how he feels in the morning."
The Packers listed 12 players on their injury report, but the only ones who did not practice were wide receiver James Jones (knee), guard Josh Sitton (knee), cornerback Charles Woodson (rest) and Wells. End Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) and running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) were not limited at all.
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