[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20081002&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=81002180&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]In 11 days, defensive tackle Justin Harrell will be eligible to return to the Green Bay Packers active roster.
The odds seem long Harrell will be ready then, only seven weeks after undergoing his second back surgery in five months.
But strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson is doing what he can to make sure the oft-injured former No. 1 draft pick can help the depleted defensive line at some point this season.
Four times a week, while his teammates are in meetings, Harrell is getting one-on-one training sessions with Gullickson, who on Thursday said Harrell is 80 to 85 percent of the way toward his peak physical condition.
The Packers must decide between Oct. 14 and Nov. 11 whether to activate Harrell from the physically unable to perform list and given their situation at defensive tackle, there should be a significant role waiting for Harrell if he returns.
I feel good about his progress, Gullickson said. I know at times that, as we reintroduce things to him, that hes willing to try anything, but theres always that caution a little bit, because he doesnt want to have any problems with his back. But hes done a real solid job. Were just keeping our fingers crossed that we can get him to that next level before we have to decide what to do with him.
The Packers have only three full-time defensive tackles (Ryan Pickett, Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly) on the 53-man roster. On Sunday, they lost Cullen Jenkins, who had been on a force inside on passing downs, for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Harrell is an anchor player, not a rusher like Jenkins, but his presence in the rotation would take some of the load off Jolly and Pickett, who have been forced to play more snaps the first four games than coaches prefer.
The No. 16 overall pick in the 2007 draft, Harrell missed nine games as a rookie, then injured his back early in the Packers offseason program after reporting out of shape. He had surgery to repair a disc in April and was on track to be ready for training camp before he aggravated his back in July. There was optimism he could rehab and return, but the team opted to have him undergo further surgery in late August.
When he came back from the second surgery, he felt great right away, Gullickson said.
Gullickson has switched Harrells workout regimen to emphasize machines over free weights in an effort to avoid a setback. Harrell donned shoulder pads for the first time to hit the blocking sled and run through cones during Thursdays practice. It was only a small step, but a positive sign for a player who has spent more time out of uniform than in it over his first 1 years as a pro.
If you get him one-on-one, you can make a lot of progress and explain things to him, and you can watch every movement that he makes to make sure his technique is clean, Gullickson said. Its been good. Sure, were all very interested and concerned to see how he does in his return. But hes done everything that weve asked him to.
Rodgers sits out
[ul]Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has a sprained right shoulder, sat out all of practice as coaches focused on getting rookie Matt Flynn prepared in case Rodgers cant start Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rodgers watched the jog-through portion of practice in shorts and a sweatshirt, then continued his rehabilitation work out of sight. He didnt try any throwing exercises, coach Mike McCarthy said, adding that Rodgers was a little sore from his Wednesday workout. Like the rest of the Packers injured players, Rodgers will be re-examined this morning, and its unclear how much hell practice, if at all.
I wanted to make sure that (Thursday) Matt felt very comfortable, and actually practiced very well, McCarthy said. He did a nice job in the 2-minute (drill); he scored down there with a couple seconds left. He had a nice practice.
That was the focus, and well see where Aaron is (today). But once again, even after (today)s practice, you still have another 48 hours before kickoff, so we do have some time.
Third-stringer Brian Brohm also got some limited reps with the starters, McCarthy said.[/ul]
Safety shuffle
[ul]Theres a chance the Packers will have Atari Bigby (hamstring) back this week, but theres also a chance Bigby and Aaron Rouse (knee) will be unavailable a scenario that would give third-year pro Charlie Peprah his first NFL start.
You go back to training camp, Charlie was right in the thick of it, McCarthy said. Charlie Peprah was someone we felt was pushing the other guys in training camp and had the pretty significant hamstring injury, missed a lot of time. Its good to have him back. Hes been a solid performer for us on special teams, and this is an excellent opportunity for him if he does get the start. We have confidence in Charlie.
McCarthy said Rouse, who filled in the past 2 games for an injured Bigby (hamstring), is not coming along as fast as we would have hoped after banging a knee last week at Tampa Bay.
Bigby said hes hopeful hell make enough progress to convince the Packers medical staff hes ready to play.
I cant remember being out this long with a hamstring, said Bigby, who played a team-high 94.9 percent of defensive snaps last season. I went out there and ran around a little bit today and then iced it down. You try to push it just a little bit without going overboard, so thats the plan. Im going to try my best to play.
The other starting safety, Nick Collins (back), was moved from limited to full participation.[/ul]
Health watch
[ul]Linebacker A.J. Hawk (groin) took part in the jog-through but remained limited.
Cornerback Charles Woodson (toe), fullback Korey Hall (knee), end Jason Hunter (hamstring) and running back Kregg Lumpkin (hamstring) didnt practice. Only Woodson seems like a good bet to play on Sunday.
Two Atlanta starters who did not practice on Wednesday, left tackle Sam Baker (illness) and strong safety Lawyer Milloy (rib), returned on a limited basis.[/ul]
Odds and ends
[ul]Woodson was named NFC defensive player of the month for the first time in his 11-year career. Despite breaking a toe in the season opener, Woodson is tied for the NFC lead with three interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns during September. Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan got to know Flynn and Brohm while going through the pre-draft process. Any words of wisdom for Flynn if he gets the start? Just do what you do, Ryan said in a conference call with Wisconsin reporters. I think he was successful in college and had a great career in college, so continue to do whatever he does, because hes been very successful. After his coverage and return units had a poor showing last week at Tampa Bay, special teams coordinator Mike Stock worked them at full speed the past two days. That doesnt happen often during the regular season. Practice is one thing, games are another, Stock said. However, I think the message has been sent.[/ul]