Injury Update: Woodson Expected Back for Raiders Game
After sustaining a concussion in Sunday's game, cornerback Charles Woodson isn't likely to miss any games, according to head coach Mike McCarthy.
One day after sustaining a concussion during Sunday's win over the New York Giants that required cornerback Charles Woodson to leave the game, head coach Mike McCarthy didn't sound as if his defensive back would miss much time.
"He's going through the protocol," said McCarthy during his Monday press conference. "The medical staff feels good that he'll probably play this week."
The Packers return home to play the Oakland Raders this upcoming Sunday as they continue their quest to earn a bye week in the playoffs and lock up home-field advantage.
Running back James Starks aggravated his ankle for a third consecutive game on Sunday against the Giants, and his status for the Raiders game is still up in the air.
The Packers return to the practice field on Wednesday, and McCarthy said Starks would be challenged to participate but will make a decision on that day.
McCarthy was asked whether there was a tendency to be more cautious with Starks given his ankle that just can't seem to heal and the need to have him for more important games down the road.
"Really, the medical staff makes that decision," said McCarthy. "Right now, our foot's on the gas, and we're going. We're playing to win games, and it's yes or no when I meet with the trainers. I can't live in this world of gray, because you have to make decisions.
"It's a team sport. People need to get prepared to play with each other, next to each other, and so when a player is cleared we'll get him in there. When he's not, we'll get him healthy. Injuries are a part of it, and we have a staff that does a great job with our players. And there's a lot of communication and time that goes into it. In James' particular case, we need to get him healthy, but I don't think it's a long-term issue."
A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop and Josh Sitton all received the same classification from McCarthy: they're getting better but their status is still uncertain.
Like Starks, they'll all undergo testing on Wednesday to determine if they'll be able to practice.
Comments (15)
December 05, 2011 at 05:34 pm
Move the old man to safety. He gets too many penalties at CB. His coverage skills aren't what they used to be. This worked for Rod Woodson back in the day. Extended his career even.
December 05, 2011 at 07:06 pm
Once Davon House is ready, they can move Woody to safety. Might happen next year too depending on Collins.
Rest Starks for the playoffs though. Get him right, meantime let's get some film on my boy Saine.
December 05, 2011 at 08:24 pm
Re-watch the Lions game and say that again with a straight face.
In fact, watch the first and the second half of this defense last game and then say that Woodson is a liability at CB.
December 05, 2011 at 10:21 pm
You know how i feel about this.
December 05, 2011 at 11:14 pm
I agree with Nerdman.
If Collins doesn't come back, then we'll talk about moving Wood to safety.
If he does, then GB just doesn't have an opening at safety, regardless of diminishing speed.
It's a potential problem.
December 06, 2011 at 10:47 am
And I don't disagree with you. I do think that in the near future we'll change his role completely. But it's silly to do so now. He's BY FAR the best nickelback on the team, and it's not close.
December 05, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Yessir.
December 05, 2011 at 05:51 pm
Chuck is one of my favorite Packers of all time, and while I'm reluctantly tempted to agree with you, who would we put in his place? Bush?
December 05, 2011 at 09:04 pm
With Woodson you get some penalties, it's pat of the deal, but you also get some amazing game changing plays. I think I can live with that. Besides, Bush couldn't even stay on his feet Sunday. I though he was actually taking a step forward this year, now not so much.
December 05, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Anyone ever consider this:
Maybe Joe Whitt, Jr. isn't the best option as the Packers CB coach??
Perhaps Tramon Williams' success is a product of his own raw ability.
That leaves Sam Shields, who had an outstanding rookie campaign, and a rather lack-luster to disappointing sophomore season thus far.
That leaves Bush, Lee, Underwood, and a whole slew of other young CB's who never really developed under the Packers' coaching, which means Joe Whitt, Jr's coaching.
I'm not saying this is the case, but I'm throwing it out there. Thought occurred to me when MM said in his presser that the issues the defense is having in giving up the big plays tends to be errors in technique.. And a lot of our break downs are with the secondary.. Maybe it's a coaching issue.
December 05, 2011 at 10:52 pm
That's not a bad argument. Let me throw out a few obvious counters. First, if Williams was all about ability and not technique, then he would have went a lot higher in the draft. He's an All-Pro who was what, a 7th or undrafted? Second, there is no way that Shields, as raw as he was at the position, got ready to play last year without decent coaching. I also feel like you have to discount this year a bit because of the off-season. Third, Underwood is out because he was a dumb-A#$. And he could not cut it at safety either, despite a ton of raw talent. Dude makes me sick. That leaves Lee and Bush.
The "errors in the secondary" comment also might have been directed more at the safeties. So that would fall on Darren Perry.
December 05, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Let me clarify, MM didn't say "errors in the secondary", he just said errors in "technique" was to blame for most of the big-play breakdowns.
I interjected my own observation that many of the guys who are getting loose are getting past the CB coverage.
I agree that a number of breakdowns have happened at the safety level, as well, but we do seem to have a string of young, supposedly talented CBs who have failed to really significantly develop over the last 5 years. I hope Shields is just in a sophomore slump, but the possibility is there that he had a career season as a rookie. When you think about it, outside of Tramon Williams, our CB group has been dominated by aging vets for nearly a decade even though the Packers have brought in a ton of young, athletic projects at the position.
December 06, 2011 at 12:32 am
Hard to say about Whitt as an outsider.
On a related point, Shields seems to really be coming around in my opinion. He started slow this season, but seems to be finding his form.
The breakup on the 9 route that Nicks was running late in the last game was textbook. He did lose on the one-on-one with Nicks in the end zone, but that was well executed by the Giants - very tough to defend.
December 06, 2011 at 02:25 pm
I wonder if we can get some more opinions on Shields. I want to agree with you here. I remember him struggling early in the season, but I can't remember seeing or hearing about him too much in the past few weeks, which can mean he's doing his job well.
The pass breakup down the sideline was great. When Wood went out with the concussion my family was freaking out saying "how will we cover anyone now, we barely could with wood in". I said I thought Shields may do better because he has the speed to keep up with those fast receivers that Woodson doesn't.
I wonder if someone has had a chance to take a better look at Shields play lately than I, because I'd really like to know how well he's developing.
December 06, 2011 at 07:35 am
It's all connected. If you give a QB like Manning time, give his receivers time and space to run their routes, make some errors in coverage, and stuff like this happens.
I was more worried about the secondary when guys like Ponder (in the first game) and Freeman throw all over the Packers.
The guys on the other side can play too, and you got to respect their skills and not put all the blame on the defense.
BUT:
You can fall down, you can miss a step, you can just get outjumped by a receiver, but those mental errors have to be corrected. Too many passes where the DB is expecting a safety over the top and there is none, etc.
On the Woodson issue: He is not getting any faster, and Capers usually does a good job to stash him where his incredible skills are useful and his weaknesses do not effect the team. As long as he can tackle, play the run, blitz the QB and go for big time INTs as the nickle, I am fine with Woodson on the field as such. He is no Safety.