[img_r]http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/sep08/tharris26.jpg[/img_r]Notes: Harris won't need surgery; could be back this year
Green Bay - Cornerback Al Harris appears likely to be back playing for the Green Bay Packers later this season.
Al Harris is expected to miss at least three to four weeks, according to Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
Coach Mike McCarthy delivered that news Friday, five days after Harris suffered what his agent has called a lacerated spleen against the Dallas Cowboys in a collision with linebacker A.J. Hawk.
Harris' agent, Jack Bechta, said it was the consistent opinion of four physicians seen by his client that surgery would not be needed.
"I'd say it's going to be at least three to four weeks," McCarthy said. "I don't have an exact time frame for you."
Because spleen injuries can be season-ending if not career-ending, the diagnosis on Harris buoyed the Packers' spirits. Harris, 33, is in his sixth season as a starter.
"No doubt about it," said McCarthy. "I think everybody was nervous Tuesday when it really came to light exactly what was wrong with Al. You're just glad it's not anything that could be life-threatening or as serious as it possibly could be."
The plan is for Harris to report Monday and begin working on conditioning.
"Al will have additional CT scans taken again in a few weeks," Bechta said. "No other time lines have been nor will be set until after the scans have been evaluated. We are in a 'wait and see' mode as to how well Al heals over the next few weeks."
Tramon Williams will replace Harris Sunday at Tampa Bay. Will Blackmon moves up to nickel back and Pat Lee moves up to dime back.
"That's the ability we have with our depth," McCarthy said. "These guys need to perform."
The sixth cornerback on the roster, Jarrett Bush, will be available at both cornerback and safety.
Injury list: [ul]Strong safety Atari Bigby (hamstring) will miss a second straight game and be replaced by Aaron Rouse, who said he was 100% despite recent knee and ankle injuries. Free safety Nick Collins (back) practiced Friday and is fine.
"Obviously, I had about 15 tackles this last game," Rouse said. "They can always say, 'Your angle this, your angle that.' That's something that comes with experience. You need better angles, you need more time to play.
"I'm the type of guy, I'm rangy. I'm going to be around the ball. Even when I'm not supposed to be there I'm always going to get to the ball. And the plays I'm supposed to make, I'll make them."
Others who won't play include wide receiver James Jones (knee), running back Kregg Lumpkin (hamstring) and fullback Korey Hall (knee). Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) sat out Friday but will play.
Ruvell Martin, who suffered a broken left ring finger Aug. 22, has had the cast removed from his hand and figures as the No. 4 wide receiver.
"He actually caught the ball well today," said McCarthy.
In Tampa, the Buccaneers ruled out three starters: wide receiver Joey Galloway (foot), guard Davin Joseph (foot) and fullback B.J. Askew (hamstring). Backup defensive tackle Ryan Sims (groin) is a game-time decision.
Kicker Matt Bryant has been away from the team all week after the discovery Wednesday morning that his 3-months-old son had died overnight. The funeral is today in Tampa. Expectations are that he will kick Sunday.[/ul]
Ready to roll: [ul]Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett said his performance against the Cowboys probably was his poorest in his 2 1/2 seasons with Green Bay.
"I think it was," Pickett said. "We didn't play the run good. Most definitely we're jacked up this week. You try to take (Tony) Romo and 'T.O.' (Terrell Owens) out of the game. We took them out and then the running backs got us."[/ul]