Friday, October 17, 2008
The Green Bay Packers won't announce until Saturday whether they're activating defensive tackle Justin Harrell from the physically-unable-to-perform list Friday, but Harrell says hes ready to play again and very well could be needed.
Harrell has had two surgeries on his lower back since March and just returned to the practice field this week, the first week hes eligible to come off PUP. He practiced all three days and said he has no pain in his lower back the surgeries were to correct a bulging disc.
The biggest issue is whether coach Mike McCarthy thinks Harrell is ready to play in an NFL game after missing the entire offseason, all of training camp and the first six weeks of the regular season. The Packers only have three defensive tackles likely to play this week Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole so theyre anxious to get Harrell on the field as soon as possible.
Harrell said he hasnt lobbied McCarthy to play.
My lobbying is going out there on the field and showing them I can do it, Harrell said.
If the Packers activate Harrell, theyll have to make room for him on the 53-man roster by cutting someone or placing someone on injured reserve. One possibility would be placing defensive end Jason Hunter (hamstring) on IR, though the team would prefer to allow him to heal up and play again this season.
Two starters listed as questionable (50 percent chance of playing) said they both expect to play, Pickett (elbow) and center Scott Wells (shoulder/chest). Starting safety Atari Bigby (hamstring) is doubtful (25 percent chance of playing). Defensive ends Mike Montgomery (ankle) and Hunter (hamstring) also are doubtful, as is receiver James Jones (knee).
-- Pete Dougherty, pdougher@greenbaypackers.com