GREEN BAY — James Campen's non-answer said it all. The Green Bay Packers offensive line coach knows that JC Tretter has been [URL=http://mentalfloss.com/article/52847/what-happened-wally-pipp-after-he-was-benched" target="_blank]Wally Pipped[/URL].
With rookie fifth-round pick Corey Linsley having apparently entrenched himself as the starting center with five strong performances, it's become clear that Tretter isn't going to be handed his starting job upon his return from the injured reserve/designated to return list. Tretter is eligible to start practicing next week and could return to game action and the active 53-man roster for the Nov. 9 game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
Asked what the Packers intend to do with Tretter upon his return, Campen hesitated.
"When he gets back out there and they clear him to go," Campen replied. Then, after a pause, he said, "I don't even want to answer that question."
Although he played tackle in college, he projected as a guard or center in the NFL and could play one of the three interior spots if injuries struck. He could also be a long-term prospect at right tackle given that starter Bryan Bulaga and backup Derek Sherrod are both set to become unrestricted free agents after the season and former starter Don Barclay, who will be coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, will be a restricted free agent.
Tretter was at practice this week as a spectator but has not spoken with reporters recently. Coach Mike McCarthy declined to give an update on his progress when asked about him Thursday.
"I really don't have an update for you on JC," McCarthy said. "But I could tell you, he looks good just in the limited time I've seen him working inside the Hutson Center."
Tretter missed all of his rookie season with an ankle injury suffered in organized team activity practices. He took every rep with the starters throughout training camp before suffering an impaction fracture in the tibia just below his knee during the third preseason game, against Oakland.
After playing well in the preseason opener at Tennessee, Tretter was asked about having played guard and tackle in college but never center. His reply might come in handy as a mentality going forward.
"At this point, it's just about playing. Whatever you can do to get out there on that field, and whatever position you can play, you take advantage of," Tretter said on Aug. 14. "I feel extremely comfortable at the center position. It doesn't feel new or different to me anymore, where you kind of feel settled in at it. So I feel comfortable, so it's nothing you worry about when you get out there."
Jason Wilde wrote: