[img_r]http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/includes/news_items/40/1928/kampmanconcussion.jpg[/img_r]GREEN BAY To understand the kind of year Aaron Kampman has had since the Green Bay Packers switched to the 3-4 defense in January, all you needed to do was stand near the players parking lot at Lambeau Field when the defensive end-turned-outside linebacker headed for home after last Sundays victory over the Dallas Cowboys.



So I'm driving out of the stadium, Kampman said after practice Thursday. People are like, 'Great game, Aaron! Great game!' It was funny. It was an interesting perspective."



Why? Because Kampman didnt play in the game. He sat out the first time hes missed a game due to an injury since the 2003 season because of a concussion suffered on the fourth play of the Packers Nov. 8 loss at Tampa Bay.



His replacement, rookie seventh-round draft pick Brad Jones, played well enough (seven tackles, no major mistakes) that at least some folks didnt notice that Kampman wasnt on the field for the defenses best performance against a quality opponent all season. And there has been talk since the game that we mightve seen a glimpse at the Packers 2010 defense, since Kampman will be an unrestricted free agent and his transition from defensive end to linebacker in the new system hasnt been altogether smooth.



While coach Mike McCarthy made it clear earlier this week that Kampman, who enters Sundays game against San Francisco with 51 tackles and 2.5 sacks, will be returning to his starting role Aaron Kampman is a starter, McCarthy said he also said Jones played well enough to merit playing time in certain packages..



I thought he played very well for a young man playing in his first game, against that opponent, and (with) the number of defensive calls that were called in the game, particularly the multiple pressure schemes and everything, McCarthy said. Definitely, I think he's warranted an opportunity to play.



For his part, after what hes endured since the loss to the Buccaneers, Kampman isnt thinking any further down the road than Sundays game against the 49ers at Lambeau Field. Having been cleared to practice on Monday and going through Wednesdays and Thursdays practices without incident, Kampman is thankful to be back to normal.



(Sitting out was) difficult. Difficult. But it was good, Kampman said. Gave me good perspective, again, on how much I enjoy playing. That was obviously good."



Kampman actually played into the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers even though hed suffered the concussion on Tampa Bays opening possession because neither he nor the coaching staff realized the severity of the blow to the head he sustained until outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene noticed Kampman wasnt processing what he was being told.



The Packers have been suffering a rash of concussions of late, with special teams fullback Korey Hall sustaining one at St. Louis Sept. 27; special teams safety Derrick Martin sustaining one Nov. 1 against Minnesota and missing the game against the Buccaneers; Kampman suffering his against the Bucs; Jones suffering one late in last Sundays win over the Cowboys; and center Scott Wells revealing on Thursday that he was feeling the effects of one presumably suffered against the Cowboys as well. While Jones practiced in full Thursday, Wells sat out for the second straight day.



The great thing about the medical staff here is they're always going to err on the side of making sure the player is taken care of, Kampman said. "You hear horror stories of guys being thrust out there, and that's not the case here.



Not only would it be inhumane to do that, itd be downright stupid given the mounting evidence of the effects concussions have on NFL players after their careers end. Head injuries are becoming a major issue around the league, fueled in part by a recent study conducted for the NFL that found retired professional football players may be at an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease or other memory problems.



According to a survey of 160 NFL players conducted by The Associated Press from Nov. 2 through 15, 30 players replied that they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion. Half said they've had at least one concussion playing football; 61 said they missed playing time because of the injury.



"We all understand the priority of player safety, and once again, that is at the forefront of all these medical decisions," McCarthy said last week. "But it's also the game of football. When you're dealing with head injuries, it's hard to decipher sometimes did you get dinged or do you have a concussion? There's lines in everything in life, and no different with levels of injuries."



Kampmans football life returned to normal on Monday, when he was medically cleared to resume lifting weights. He then returned to practice Wednesday, and given his progress, shouldnt have to spend this Sunday afternoon the way he spent the last one.



I was a Slash. I did a lot of things, Kampman said. Obviously I wanted to help out Brad, and just kind of speak with him and make sure he was OK. So if there was ever anything that needed to be discussed, after (Greene) spoke with him or something, (we talked). I took down all the defensive calls. (I wasnt) an assistant coach, but something like that.



(But) when you're back, you're back. I don't take that approach. I wouldn't have tried to say I was ready to go if I (wasn't). Hopefully, this is the last time we have to talk about this."