Wisconsin News and Sports
Brad Jones with AJ Hawk
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones to a two-year deal on Monday.
Jones was released by the Packers on Feb. 20. He paid visits to the Tennessee Titans and the Eagles before signing with Philadelphia.
Jones started 36 of 76 games for the Packers from 2009 through last season.
Mike McCarthy
A year ago, the Green Bay Packers knew they needed to address the safety position. They were constantly reminded about it during the 2014 Scouting Combine.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy pointed out during this year’s combine that he answered “seven” questions about the Packers’ safety position and compared it to this year, where the questions centered on linebackers.
The Packers went out and drafted Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the first round. His acquisition not only improved the position substantially, but Morgan Burnett then went out and had the best season of his career as well. [Read more…]
Clay Matthews works out on Wednesday.
All 52 players on the Green Bay Packers roster practiced on Wednesday as they get ready for Sunday’s NFC North showdown at Chicago against the Bears.
Linebackers Brad Jones (quadriceps), Clay Matthews (groin) and Nick Perry (wrist) all practiced on a limited basis. Cornerback Davon House (knee), wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (knee) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) were all full participants.
Matthews wasn’t able to finish Sunday’s 19-7 loss at Detroit last Sunday. Today will be a big day for Matthews as the Packers will work in full pads.
Bears injury update
The health of Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall remains up in the air. Chicago didn’t practice on Wednesday, but the wide receiver was still designated as “did not participate”.
Marshall reaggravated the injury at New York last Monday night.
Jamari Lattimore
After Brad Jones struggled at Seattle, it’s Jamari Lattimore’s chance at inside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers today when they host the New York Jets (3:25pm kick) at Lambeau Field today.
Jones has a quadriceps injury that may have contributed to his poor performance against the Seahawks and will sideline him today. Given Jones’ play at times, if Lattimore performs at a high level, there’s a chance he could keep the job.
Lattimore started four games last season while Jones dealt with injuries. He had a career high 14 tackles and a sack against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 20th.
The Packers tendered Lattimore as a restricted free agent at the lowest rate ($1.431 million) during the offseason. There was no guarantee of anything heading into training camp. But one week into the season, Lattimore will start against the New York Jets today. The Packers are looking for Lattimore to grab the bull by the horns and help a defense that has struggled to stop the run. [Read more…]
Brandon Bostick – UPI/Robert Cornforth
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said running back Eddie Lacy was in the final stages of the concussion protocol that is mandated by the NFL. Not only does Lacy have a chance to practice later today, but he could play Sunday in the home opener against the New York Jets.
Lacy suffered a concussion in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday, his second concussion in as many seasons.
In order to return on Sunday, Lacy must be cleared by an independent neurologist.
More injury news
Bryan Bulaga and Brandon Bostick both practiced on Wednesday and both could play Sunday against the Jets. But Mike McCarthy said they’ll need to practice in a padded workout today and come away in good shape. Bulaga suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in the Seattle game, while Bostick suffered a fractured right fibula against St. Louis on Aug. 16.
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on Brandon Bostick :17
Linebacker Brad Jones didn’t practice at all on Wednesday because of a thigh strain and it was determined he needed to get healthy. If Jones doesn’t suit up on Sunday, Jamari Lattimore would likely get the start in his place. The Packers could also use Sam Barrington during Sunday’s game.
Jones struggled in last Thursday’s season opening loss against Seattle.
Casey Hayward
Among the Green Bay Packers injuries that were announced on Sunday, linebacker Brad Jones suffered aquadriceps injury in the Packers 31-21 win over the Oakland Raiders.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Jones would miss Green Bay’s final exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
If Jones isn’t ready to go for the season opener against Seattle, Jamari Lattimore would replace him in the 3-4 base defense and Sam Barrington could take his spot in the dime.
Casey Hayward
Defensive back Casey Hayward returned to practice on Sunday. He missed practice last week, as well as Friday night’s preseason game against Oakland. Mike McCarthy said the Packers are being careful with Hayward after his hamstring problems in 2013.
Rajion Neal
Mike McCarthy also said running back Rajion Neal (knee), who performed well in the preseason opener at Tennessee, won’t likely be ready in time for the final preseason game on Thursday against Kansas City.
The Green Bay Packers went into Sunday’s game at Baltimore, missing a couple of
A.J. Hawk
key starters at linebacker. Clay Matthews (broken thumb) and Brad Jones (hamstring) were both out, replaced by Jamari Lattimore and Nick Perry.
The transition didn’t stop there though. Jones normally is the defensive player with the ear-piece/speaker in his helmet. That responsiblity was taken on by Hawk. The 8th-year linebacker responded with a 10-tackle (5 for loss) and a career high three sacks in Green Bay’s 19-17 win over the Ravens in Baltimore. The three sacks for Hawk matches his total from the entire 2012 season. [Read more…]
Green Bay Packers safety Jerron McMillian said he was fined $15,000 by the NFL for
Jeron McMillian
a hit that he put on Detroit tight end Tony Scheffler last sunday. The hit drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. McMillian said he will definitely appeal the league fine.
Injury Report
The Packers ruled linebacker Brad Jones out of this Sunday’s game at Baltimore after he suffered a hamstring injury in the Lions game.
Mike McCarthy said he had no reason to believe that Jones would be out very long.
With Jones out, Jamari Lattimore is expected to get the start in his place at inside linebacker.
AUDIO: Jamari Lattimore on taking over :13
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy is confident with Lattimore :13
RB James Starks, CB Casey Hayward and offensive lineman Greg Van Roten have also been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
Two weeks ago it was his hamstring, now the Green Bay Packers are hoping Clay
Clay Matthews
Matthews thumb injury won’t force him out of the lineup or possibly even end his season.
Matthews suffered a broken thumb on his third-quarter sack of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. They’re still awaiting word on whether or not the injury will require surgery or not.
If surgery is the answer, Matthews could be out for the entire season. Of course there’s always the possibility he could miss time without losing his entire season. The Packers are still able to put one player on injured reserve/designated for return at a later time. In that scenario, Matthews would have to miss a minimum of 6-weeks.
If Matthews does have to miss any time, the Packers would likely rely on Mike Neal and Nick Perry to play the outside linebacker positions. Both had outstanding games in the 22-9 win over the Lions on Sunday Perry had 2 quarterback sacks and five tackles while Neal had a sack and six tackles.
More injuries
The Packers also lost linebacker Brad Jones Sunday with a hamstring injury and his replacement, Robert Francois, suffered a torn achilles which will end his season.
The Green Bay Packers lost a total of five players to injury in the 17-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Friday night. Four of the five are either
Morgan Burnett
starters or players that play a significant amount of playing time.
Two defensive starters, linebacker Brad Jones and safety Morgan Burnett suffered hamstring injuries. Defensiveback Casey Hayward left with a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out of the first three weeks of training camp. Running back DuJuan Harris went down with a right knee injury early. It’s the same knee that cost him the first three weeks of camp. Outside linebacker Jarvis Reed, considered to be a longshot to win a roster spot, left with a knee injury.
Burnett’s injury could be of most concern to the Packers if it’s serious because of a lack of depth at the position.