Packers WR Greg Jennings has said all the right things -- everything he can, really -- to get back on the field since having surgery Nov. 1 to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
Before the operation, he called it a minor, “20-25 minute outpatient procedure.” A couple weeks later, he said he was pain-free. This week, he was positively brimming, saying he felt great and was confident he could play against the New York Giants.
Whether or not Jennings plays this week -- he’s listed as questionable and conventional wisdom indicates he'll be held out another week -- he and coach Mike McCarthy have made it clear they’re optimistic about the progress he’s made.
“I had a chance to visit with Greg briefly down at practice,” McCarthy said Friday. “He feels real good coming off practice yesterday. He wanted to work today. We said we’d sit down tomorrow and talk to Dr. McKenzie and just see how he’s feeling. The one concern is durability. That’s the last hurdle we need to get over.”
McCarthy was not surprised Jennings, who was a limited participant all week, was able to come back and practice already. It’s all been part of the plan, he said.
”This is actually the exact protocol of the surgeon,” McCarthy said. “The post-surgery protocol was three weeks.”
Without their leading receiver of the past half-decade, the Packers' pass offense has not suffered. WRs Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jordy Nelson have stepped up and contributed -- Cobb has emerged as a breakout star, Jones a circus-catch machine and Nelson his usual big-play self when he’s not hurt.
McCarthy said it would be no trouble assimilating Jennings, who was hurt in the season-opener and has only played in three games, into the offense. He and QB Aaron Rodgers have great chemistry, are talented, hard-working and well-prepared.
”It’s a seamless transition,” McCarthy said. “That’s part of working your board every week. We meet on it as a staff every morning. How you get from 53 to 46. It’s all part of the planning. “
Jennings said he didn’t feel he was a “long shot” to play Wednesday, as McCarthy had suggested. He wants to play and believes he can.
He wasn’t available to reporters Friday, but before he left the locker room he said, “I’m ready,” according to ESPNMilwaukee.com.
Crosby feels good: Depending on how you look at it -- and how he plays Sunday -- K Mason Crosby is either mired in the worst slump of his career or broke out last week and is ready to get a new (positive) streak going.
Crosby missed two field goals in last week’s 24-20 win at Detroit, making him 11 of 18 (61.1 percent) and good on just seven of his last 13 attempts. But with 19 seconds remaining, he made a 39-yarder that ultimately clinched the victory over the Lions.
So, where’s he at?
“I’m good," Crosby said. "This is just part of the journey, part of the path. It’s unfortunate whenever it goes this way, but there’s been a lot of good things that have come with any of the bad. For me, this week’s been solid. I’ve had a great week of work. My mind-set’s strong. My process is good.
“I had a great day today, and I hit the ball great on Wednesday, so I’m excited for this week. This team is building something special, and I’ve got to do my job to help us win.”
Jones fined for hit: ILB Brad Jones was fined $15,750 by the NFL on Friday for his hit on Lions QB Matthew Stafford in last week’s win.
Jones, who collided with Stafford’s head, was penalized 15 yards for roughing the passer on the play, an incomplete pass.
Jones’ fine was the same as rookie OLB Nick Perry was penalized for his hit to the head of Colts QB Andrew Luck on Oct. 7.
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSPackers and @jimmycarlton88.