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Matthews shoots for Packers franchise sack record (AUDIO)

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Clay Matthews

When Clay Matthews takes the field against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, he’ll have his sights set on becoming the Green Bay Packers all-time franchise sack leader.

Matthews has 74 sacks in his career, which started back in 2009.  Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (74.5 sacks) is the all-time franchise leader, leaving Matthews a half sack shy of sharing the record and one full sack from moving into the lead.

Matthews is tied for the second-most six-plus-sack seasons in the NFL since 2009 with seven.  Former Packer Julius Peppers (Carolina/Chicago/GB) is the leader in that category with eight.

Matthews ranks in the top five in sacks since 2009 among active players.  Miami’s Cameron Wake tops that list with 81.5.  Houston’s J.J. Watt is next with 76.

Matthews has put himself in some elite company and he’s not even close to being done.

AUDIO: Clay Matthews is hoping to get the sack record and the win on Sunday :09

AUDIO: Clay Matthews said the sack record will mean more when he’s done :12

AUDIO: Clay Matthews was asked of numbers and stats matter to him :23

Jean Francois returns to Green Bay, Spriggs to IR

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David Bakhtiari remains sidelined with hamstring injury.

With Mike Daniels sidelined by a hip injury in Atlanta, the Green Bay Packers resigned veteran Ricky Jean Francois.  The Packers had released Jean Francois when they needed depth on their offensive line a week earlier.

Daniels hasn’t practiced all week and isn’t expected to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jean Francois was on a plane to Dallas when the Packers called him back.  He returned to Lambeau Field and signed a contract on Thursday.

To make room on the roster, the Packers placed tackle Jason Spriggs on injured reserve.  Spriggs has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in week one against Seattle.

Spriggs must sit a minimum of eight weeks but would be eligible to return of the Packers decide to make that move.

Offensive tackle update

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who has missed the first two games of the season, has practiced both days this week and would appear set to return to the lineup against the Bengals on Sunday.

Left tackle David Bakhtiari missed both workouts on Wednesday and Thursday, making it less likely that he would return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Packers linebacker Perry headed for hand surgery

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Nick Perry & Clay Matthews

For the second time in as many years, Nick Perry is headed for hand surgery.  The Green Bay Packers starting outside linebacker will have the procedure something this week.

Perry missed two games late last season when he needed screws placed into several broken fingers on his left hand.  He returned to the lineup with a club cast and tallied three sacks in the last two games to finish with a career-high 11 for the season.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t say if it’s the same hand or even the same injury and he told the media at his Thursday press conference that a timeline for Perry’s return won’t be established until they get through the surgery.

Perry signed a five-year, $60 million contract during the offseason.  Perry was the 28th overall pick in the 2012 draft and if he doesn’t play in Sunday’s game against the Bengals, it means he won’t play in all 16 regular season games for the sixth straight season.

The Packers do get help with recently acquired Ahmad Brooks, who was cleared from the teams concussion protocol and returned to the practice field on Wednesday.  He sustained the concussion early in the opener against Seattle and is expected to have a larger role this week.

King could see larger role with the Packers

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#20 Kevin King

After getting just six snaps in the Green Bay Packers season opener against Seattle, defensive back Kevin King played in 46 snaps in last Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons.  The Packers top draft pick was one of the few bright spots in that contest and could see more opportunity this week when the Packers host the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field.

King didn’t get the start against Atlanta, but where others failed, King came on to try to slow down Atlanta’s Julio Jones and was successful.

King replaced Damarious Randall at right corner in the second quarter.

“I thought Kevin did a good job,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said.  “I think he continues to grow, you know? We’re encouraged with his progress. He competes well. You saw him break up a couple (of) balls on crossing routes. he’s not afraid to get up and challenge receivers, and I like his style of play.”

The Packers selected King and safety Josh Jones, who also saw an increase in playing time after Kentrell Brice left the game with a groin injury.  The Packers identified a lack of speed as one of its goals to improve on during the offseason.

We’ll see Sunday if the time is now for King and Jones.

Injury depleted Packers have no answer for Falcons

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Mercedes Benz Stadium

The Green Bay Packers were already playing without a significant disadvantage when both of their offensive tackles, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga were held out of Sunday nights game in Atlanta.  Then  take away Mike Daniels (hamstring) and Jordy Nelson (quad) in the early part of the game and the task became next to impossible.

The Packers started the second half trailing 24-7 but had the ball.  That’s when quarterback Aaron Rodgers was hit from behind with his pass ruled behind the line of scrimmage.  Atlanta’s Desmond Trufant scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 15 yards for a touchdown that would put the Falcons up 31-7, on their way to a 34-23 victory over the Packers in the first game at new Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The Packers went with second year offensive lineman Kyle Murphy at left tackle and Justin McCray at right tackle.

Aaron Rodgers was sacked three times but hit several more.  He finished 33 of 50 for 343 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. [Read more…]

Bulaga’s status for Sunday is still in question

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David Bakhtiari

After missing two days with the flu, Bryan Bulaga returned to work on Friday for the Green Bay Packers as they continue to prepare for Sunday nights game against the Atlanta Falcons at new Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The flu is now behind Bulaga, but his sore right ankle remains.  Bulaga didn’t have full practices this week to determine just where he is with his ankle.  He’s in jeopardy of missing his second straight game after sitting out the opener against Seattle as well.

Bulaga was listed as questionable on the teams injury report on Friday.  So was left tackle David Bakhtiari, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Backup tackle Jason Spriggs has been ruled out of Sunday’s game (hamstring) and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks is doubtful (concussion protocol).

 

Bulaga’s status still unknown for Sunday

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Bryan Bulaga

The Green Bay Packers may not know until today at the earliest, whether or not right tackle Bryan Bulaga be able to play on Sunday against the Falcons in Atlanta.

Bulaga was sent home for the second straight day due to a flu like illness.  The Packers are trying to keep Bulaga away so the rest of the players don’t get sick as well.  The Packers only padded practice of the week was Thursday, so Bulaga missed out on the day of preparation.

There’s a possibility that Bulaga’s ankle could be ready, yet he could be sidelined by the flu bug.

If Bulaga can’t go, Kyle Murphy would make his second straight start in his place at right tackle.

Left tackle David Bakhtiari was listed as a limited participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday because of a hamstring injury.  His backup Jason Spriggs is sidelined by a hamstring injury and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks.

Packers have tackle concerns

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Bryan Bulaga

The Green Bay Packers are heading into Sunday’s showdown with the Atlanta Falcons with some health issues at offensive tackle.

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who missed the opener last week with a sprained right ankle, was sent home with an illness on Wednesday.  Not known is whether or not Bulaga would have practiced had he not been ill.  If Bulaga isn’t ready to play on Sunday, Kyle Murphy will make his second straight start in his place.

Starting left tackle David Bakhtiari was listed as a limited participant in practice because of a hamstring injury.  His backup on the left side, Jason Spriggs suffered a hamstring injury against Seattle and Mike McCarthy said Spriggs would miss at least a couple of weeks.

The Packers signed Adam Pankey from the practice squad this week to add some depth.

Gunter signs with Carolina

It didn’t take LaDarius Gunter long to find another team after the Packers released him on Tuesday.  Gunter was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.

Gunter finished last season as the Packers top corner and led all corners in total snaps.

Gunter was active against Seattle but played just two snaps.

Packers make roster moves, prepare for Atlanta

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La Darius Gunter – released by the Packers on Tuesday.

The Green Bay Packers released defensive back LaDarius Gunter on Tuesday, making room for wide receiver Geronimo Allison, who served his one-game suspension last week.

Gunter rescued the Packers last season when Sam Shields was lost early with a concussion.  But he struggled in the playoffs against two of the game’s top receivers, Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) and Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons).

The Packers have also reportedly released defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois.  ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky reported this morning that the Packers promoted guard/tackle Adam Pankey to the teams roster.

Gunter originally made the Packers roster as an undrafted rookie out of Miami in 2015.  Despite a lack of speed, Gunter got the job done in the Packers secondary.  But Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are healthy this year and Gunter fell out of the rotation.

Ricky Jean Francois signed with the Packers in the offseason but may have been expendable after the Packers signed Quinton Dial.  With only one practice under his belt, Dial wasn’t active for last Sunday’s game against Seattle.  But Dial should be ready to go this week when the Packers face the Falcons in Atlanta.

Packers defense saves the day in win over Seahawks (AUDIO)

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Mike Daniels with one of his biggest days as a pro.

The game was dominated by defense early, but the Green Bay Packers eventually wore Seattle down and knocked off the Seahawks 17-9 in the season opener at Lambeau Field.

The Packers had a nearly 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession (39:13 to 20:47) as they closed out the victory in the final quarter.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers started show and tossed an interception in the first half, ending a streak of 251 straight passes without one, which was a career high.  Rodgers would finish by completing 28 of 42 for 311 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

His only scoring strike came when the Seahawks were late getting a 12th player off the field and as usual, the Packers took advantage.  Rodgers looked to the sideline, saw the flag come out and then found Jordy Nelson down the middle for a 32 yard scoring strike.

Earlier in the game, Nelson became the fourth receiver in Packers franchise history to reach 500 career receptions.  He joined the elite company of Donald Driver, Sterling Sharpe and James Lofton.  [Read more…]