Green Bay On Monday, cornerback Sam Shields came to the facility, lifted weights, went home and felt fine.
On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers rookie started feeling pain in his knee and the next thing he knew, he was being seen by team physician Patrick McKenzie.
"I don't know what happened, to be honest," said Shields, who didn't practice Wednesday. "Everything was normal, came in Tuesday and I was like, 'Damn, my knee is feeling weird.' Last night, it was feeling like, 'Holy (cow), I need to get this checked out.
"After I checked with Doc, he told me to go run on it and see how it feels. I tried to run on it and I couldn't."
Shields said McKenzie did stability tests on the knee and found it to be in good shape. Shields may undergo an MRI to see if there's a hidden problem, but he insisted there is no way he'll miss the game against the Chicago Bears.
"He said everything was normal," Shields said. "That's crazy, isn't it? He said it could be because I'm not used to a long season, certain parts of your joint might get tired on you. I'll be good for Sunday though. I'll be good."
It would not be a good week for Shields to be out. The nickel back is the team's fastest player and he's needed to cover speedy receivers Devin Hester and Johnny Knox.
As for kickoff returns, Shields is expecting to turn the job over to someone else. It's possible that it might have happened anyway after some recent struggles, but the knee injury almost assures it will be the case.
"We'll go through each day, but they'll probably take that away and give Pat Lee a couple tries," Shields said.
Injury update: Defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who has been inactive the last three games with a strained calf, took a few snaps on the scout team in practice Wednesday. It was an encouraging sign, but it didn't necessarily mean he'd be able to play Sunday.
"To be honest with you, we're going to have to talk about him at the end of the week," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I don't have enough information."
It's too early to tell if safety Atari Bigby (groin) and fullback Korey Hall (knee), who have been ruled out this week, would be out for the playoffs, should the Packers advance, McCarthy said.
Linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) and guard Marshall Newhouse (back) did not practice. Those limited in practice were tackle Chad Clifton (knees), safety Nick Collins (ribs), linebacker Clay Matthews (shin) and center Scott Wells (back).
Ringing endorsement: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't get enough votes to make the Pro Bowl team - he was named first alternate - but he had the support of Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
"I voted for him," Urlacher said. "I think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC if not the second-best in the NFL behind Tom Brady."
Bears coach Lovie Smith also said he voted for Rodgers.
"It's nice to hear, I guess," Rodgers said with a grin. "But they could be lying."
Maybe next year: Second-year nose tackle B.J. Raji also didn't make the Pro Bowl team despite having registered 62 tackles and 6 sacks.
"I thought I played to that level this year," he said. "The numbers reflected that. But that's the past now. I'm worried about the future and that future is Sunday."
Raji said he was confident he would make future Pro Bowl teams.
"The people in this locker room, as long as they're satisfied with my play, that's what's important," he said.
Forte strong: The Packers will have to account for Bears running back Matt Forte, who leads the team in rushing with 978 yards and six touchdowns and also has caught 43 passes for 487 yards and three touchdowns.
"I'd say he's having a heck of a year," McCarthy said. "I think they're doing a very good job running the ball of late, more committed to it. He's a three-down back. I think just that in itself says a lot about him."
Said linebacker Desmond Bishop, "We have to be on our toes and always know where he's at because he definitely poses a threat."
Recent addition: The Packers signed 6-1, 236-pound linebacker Cardia Jackson to the practice squad.
He entered the NFL in April 2010 as a non-drafted free agent.
Also, receiver Terrance Smith was waived from the practice squad / injured list.
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