[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080921&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=80921058&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]The Green Bay Packers started Sundays loss to the Dallas Cowboys without safety Atari Bigby.
They finished it with the rest of their starting secondary on the bench, too.
Cornerback Al Harris left the game twice in the first quarter first after colliding with linebacker A.J. Hawk downfield, then again after making a tackle. It was announced Harris had cramping, but he didnt return the second time, and coach Mike McCarthy said trainers held Harris out because of blood in his urine.
Safety Nick Collins also left the game, returned and left again for good with a bruised back.
Cornerback Charles Woodson sat out the Cowboys final series to rest the broken toe on his right foot, which he said was hurting after the game.
The nature of Harris injury was unclear, as was the severity of Collins, and Bigbys status for next weeks game at Tampa Bay will depend on the state of his injured hamstring.
Itll be a tough week, Woodson said, but this is what we get paid to do.
Cornerback Tramon Williams, who replaced Harris, said the game plan remained roughly the same in spite of the injuries. The Packers primarily played man coverage, with Woodson taking the lions share of action against Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens.
When you have some of your starters go out, it hurts, Hawk said.
More injuries
[ul]Receiver James Jones didnt sound optimistic about his troublesome right knee after tweaking it when he fell on the games first play.
It messed me up, Jones said. I dont know how bad it is, but its hurting.
Jones tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Aug. 22 at Denver. He returned to action last week and stayed in Sundays game for a while, but he watched from the sideline with ice on the knee as the Packers were forced to use a three-receiver set in their hurry-up offense down the stretch.
Two starting linebackers also were hurt. Middle linebacker Nick Barnett missed some time after bruising his left elbow, but he returned wearing a wrap. Brandon Chillar, who made a surprise start on the strong side in place of Brady Poppinga, was out briefly after having the wind knocked out of him.[/ul]
Witten's impact
[ul]The Packers signed Chillar in March in part because of his skills in pass coverage.
He saw most of his action the past two weeks on special teams, but he played extensively on defense Sunday ostensibly, in an effort by the Packers to contain Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
However, Witten finished with seven receptions for 57 yards with a variety of players including Hawk, Chillar and safety Aaron Rouse defending him. Four of Wittens catches converted third-down situations.
Hes a great tight end, Hawk said. They go to him. He converts a lot of third downs, and he has a knack for getting open.[/ul]
Grants day
[ul]Running back Ryan Grant was a little more effective after his rough day at Detroit, gaining 54 yards on 13 carries.
I thought hes getting closer to his old self, McCarthy said. Hopefully, he came out clean tonight and we can move forward another week.[/ul]
Hall sits out
[ul]Starting fullback Korey Hall was among the Packers inactives, a week after spraining a knee at Detroit.
Hall practiced on a limited basis on Friday and was listed as questionable, but John Kuhn took his place in the lineup. Of the other three players listed as questionable tight end Tory Humphrey (knee), guard Josh Sitton (knee) and receiver Ruvell Martin (finger) only Humphrey suited up.
Also inactive were Bigby, who was ruled out on Friday, and four rookie draft picks: cornerback Pat Lee, tackle Breno Giacomini, end Jeremy Thompson and No. 3 quarterback Brian Brohm.
Rookie third-round draft pick Jermichael Finley was active for the first time this season, at least in part because of Halls injury. Finley picked up a personal foul for unnecessary roughness after a punt late in the third quarter.
Dallas inactives were: receiver Sam Hurd, cornerback Alan Ball, fullback Deon Anderson, safety Roy Williams, guard Joe Berger, tackle Doug Free, linebacker Anthony Spencer and No. 3 quarterback Brooks Bollinger.[/ul]
Odds and ends
[ul] Scott Wells suited up for the first time this season, but Jason Spitz made his third consecutive start at center.
Harris, kicker Mason Crosby, and right tackle Mark Tauscher served as team captains.[/ul]