ne thing that was evident from practice Thursday is that the Packers are trying to find out whether running back Ahman Green is ready to play this Sunday.
Green took a significant amount of snaps during jog-through portion of practice and then did a live one-on-one pass-blocking drill with practice squad linebacker Cyril Obiozor. Both players were in pads and the drill was full speed.
Green hasn't played in a game since November of last year and didn't have a training camp this year, so it's somewhat of a risk to expose him to action in just his second week back. That appears to be why the coaches are running him through drills to see whether he's ready to be active.
On the offensive line, Scott Wells was back after missing practice Wednesday due to the birth of his son, Kingston Knox Wells, and was the starting center. Jason Spitz missed yet another day of practice because of a sore lower back. He was expected to return Thursday but was nowhere in sight.
It's likely that coach Mike McCarthy's claims that jobs were up for grabs on the offensive line was simply gamesmanship -- as though the Vikings care who the Packers start after trashing them for eight sacks at the Metrodome -- but McCarthy has been known to make last-minute changes after evaluating the week's practice on Friday.
Missing from practice were: safety Derrick Martin (hamstring), fullback Korey Hall (calf), receiver Jordy Nelson (knee), tight end Jermichael Finley (knee) and Spitz. Cornerback Charles Woodson (hip) appeared limited, although he did have his pads on.
The entire practice was conducted outside where the wind made it feel much cooler than 55 degrees. It was so overcast that the lights at Ray Nitschke Field were turned on.
McCarthy speaks after practice and if there are any updates, I'll post them.