There were no real surprises on the Green Bay Packers injury report Friday. There was plenty of uncertainty, though.
While the team officially ruled out OLB Clay Matthews (hamstring), CB Charles Woodson (collarbone) and WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring), among others, coach Mike McCarthy said he was holding out hope for G/T T.J. Lang (ankle) and DE Mike Neal (shoulder).
Lang, who injured his ankle in the second quarter of last week’s win over the Vikings, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant on Friday. McCarthy said Lang looked OK and is questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Lions.
“I wasn’t expecting him to practice,” McCarthy said Friday. “I don’t have a feeling one way or the other. He did very little today.”
If Lang can’t go, McCarthy confirmed that undrafted rookie Don Barclay would make his first career start at right tackle. Barclay stepped in for Lang against Minnesota and was serviceable. He was shaky early in pass protection, but got better as the game went along, while his run blocking was solid.
Barclay will be put to the test against the Lions’ talented defensive line, especially being matched up again speedy DE Cliff Avril (8.5 sacks).
On the Packers’ own defensive line, it appears Neal won’t be able to play. Neal, who’s had shoulder problems in the past, did not participate at all this week. McCarthy said it wasn’t a worst-case scenario, but he wasn’t optimistic about Neal’s chances.
“Well, the news was good news, based on what your fear,” McCarthy said of Neal. “But he’s not doing very well today as far as testing.
“We’re going to give both T.J. and Mike Neal every chance to play in the game. We’ll probably know more tomorrow, and obviously we’ll have to react to that tomorrow to make the roster move if needed.”
A roster move at one of the two positions seems likely. If Lang can’t go, the Packers would have only six healthy offensive linemen for the Lions game. If Neal can’t go, they’d have only four defensive linemen. McCarthy said earlier this week that the Packers have played with just four defensive linemen before and it’s not a huge concern.
But on the stretched offensive line, where Barclay is the likely starter and top backup Evan Dietrich-Smith is at left guard, Green Bay will probably have to make a personnel decision. The most likely move is promoting rookie OT Andrew Datko, a seventh-round pick, from the practice squad.
As for Matthews, who hurt his hamstring in Week 9 and has only been able to go through rehab assignments, McCarthy, who said he was “timelined out” on Thursday, has run out of updates.
“Well, I’ve told you he’s been close every week. Closer? Closest? We’re getting close. He feels good about it,” McCarthy said Friday, adding that he didn’t want to rush back either of his top two defensive playmakers before they were ready.
“I think it’s very important for Clay, no different with Charles, that when we do bring those guys back it’s not potentially just a one-week situation. Ultimately you’re talking about veteran players that know their bodies better than anybody. So we’re conscious of the long term here."
Here is the Packers’ full Friday injury report: Out: Matthews (hamstring), Nelson (hamstring), RB James Starks (knee), DE C.J. Wilson (knee), Woodson (collarbone). Doubtful: Neal (shoulder). Questionable: Lang (ankle). ILB Terrell Manning (shoulder). Probable: WR Donald Driver (thumb), C Jeff Saturday (foot), CB Sam Shields (ankle).
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSPackers
