Packers injury report: 'Frustrated' Charles Woodson out for Bears

WR Jordy Nelson was all but ruled out for the game against the Bears coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday. (US Presswire)

Charles Woodson wasn't happy about it, but it was decided Wednesday that he won't play  in Sunday’s divisional showdown against the Bears because the Packers doctors don’t think it’s in his best interest.

“Frustrating day for Charles,” said coach Mike McCarthy. “Charles is ready to play. He’s ready to go with conditioning. But the doctors feel, based on the information in the last two days, that we’re going to hold him out of the game.”

He added that a “disappointed” Woodson would continue to go through rehab assignments.

The 36-year-old defensive back has been out since breaking his collarbone in Green Bay’s Oct. 21 win at St. Louis. In his eagerness to get back on the field, he’s played wide receiver on the scout team and had taken part in noncontact drills in practice.

McCarthy said Woodson has not suffered a setback and was still “extremely close,” but made it clear the judgment was made by the medical staff, specifically Dr. Patrick McKenzie.

“It’s not easy,” McCarthy said. “(Woodson’s) been preparing himself in practice the last week so I know he’s extremely frustrated.”

Another player unlikely to play against the Bears is WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring), who was all but ruled out by McCarthy.

“I think Jordy’s a long shot for this weekend based on testing Monday and Tuesday,” McCarthy said.

Nelson hurt his hamstring in the Dec. 2 win over the Vikings. It’s the second time he’s had a hamstring injury this season and the team is probably going to play it safe until it’s fully healed.

In other, more encouraging injury news, G/T T.J. Lang practiced Wednesday in a limited capacity. Lang is nursing an ankle injury also suffered in the Vikings' game two weeks ago.

McCarthy said he watched Lang practice and will monitor him throughout the week to determine how the rest of the line will be arranged. Lang started the season at left guard, but after RT Bryan Bulaga went on injured reserve (hip), Lang moved outside and reserve G/C Evan Dietrich-Smith was inserted at guard. When Lang hurt his ankle, undrafted rookie Don Barclay stepped in at tackle and played better than expected.

If Lang is healthy, the Packers may opt to move him back to left guard, his best position, and keep Barclay at right tackle, with Dietrich-Smith as an extra, utility lineman.

“(Lang) worked pretty much inside today,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “I want to make sure Don Barclay gets as many reps as he can outside. But really, we’re getting T.J. ready. Evan played extremely well against the Detroit Lions and was our game ball winner, so we’re getting him ready at both left guard and center.

“We’ll use the week to see where we’re at. I thought T.J. looked pretty good, I’m curious to see what he says.”

For his part, Lang said he feels comfortable and has been making improvements every day. He could’ve played last week against the Lions -- he was active as the emergency seventh lineman -- but was glad to have the extra days to rest.

"I’m getting there," he said. “Today was the first day I really got to run around and plant on it, put weight on it. I’m definitely feeling better each day. If I continue to make the improvements I’m making the past week, I feel pretty good about Sunday."

As for the rest of the injured Packers, McCarthy said the decision to sign DL Jordan Miller off the practice squad Tuesday was made because the defensive line was so banged up and depleted.

McCarthy said he was “surprised” DE Mike Neal (shoulder) was able to practice Wednesday. But the news was not as good for fellow DE C.J. Wilson (knee), who did not participate. McCarthy said Wilson’s injury is “more serious than we thought,” although he believes the run-stopping end will return this season.

As for the rest, CB Davon House did not participate because of an illness. Nor did RB James Starks (knee). WR Donald Driver (thumb), LT Marshall Newhouse (wrist), LB Terrell Manning (shoulder) and LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) were limited.