Sept 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks to pass while under pressure from Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers announced today that they would be activating TE Andrew Quarless off the Physically Unable to Perform list, but even more importantly, they announced that rookie first round draft choice Nick Perry would have surgery on his wrist and would be out the rest of the year.

C’mon, Man! Can it get any worse for the Packers?

I can’t imagine how it could.

Though Perry is a rookie, it’s an important season for him to be on the field and getting as many reps as possible. He was just starting to show how important he was to the defense when he went down with what we all thought was a knee injury that would keep him out for a few weeks.

However, as it turned out, it was his wrist that ended up hurting him most and shelving him for the remainder of the year.

Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) avoids Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Yes, the Packers will miss Perry. They will not have the opportunity to coach him up and get him comfortable in a system where he was showing his value. Lining up opposite Clay Matthews for the most part at the start of the season, Matthews was having a monster year. In the first five games or so Matthews was closing in on 10 sacks and on track to possibly threaten the season sack record.

Since Perry has been out, Matthews has had one sack … hmmmmmm … do you think that’s a coincidence?

Perry was drafted with the mindset that he would help to make Matthews even better.

Now that the Packers are relying more on Erik Walden, for the most part, Matthews has slowed. Not to say that Walden hasn’t helped the defense overall … he has … but the loss of Perry may be more important than anyone has realized.

Had it been any other team without the depth that the Packers have, the season may have come to a quick end without the services of the many players who have hit the training room. However, Mike McCarthy-coached teams seem to thrive in these situations.

So, can it get any worse? It could if Aaron Rodgers went down, but we don’t even want to broach that subject. With Quarless back in the fold, he will help to bolster the tight end position. That will be a good thing.

Let’s just hope the team will be able to get some of their players back for the run toward the playoffs.

Because we all know it really shouldn’t get any worse.

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Wow!

Like this is the complete end of the Packers’ season … well, I can tell you it’s not. The Packers have been playing without several of those for whom thy will be without today and the team has done just fine, thank you.

Here are the players who will most likely not play today:

Chad Clifton – the left tackle has been out of the lineup for more than a month and Marshall Newhouse, while shaky at times, has held his own against some pretty good pass rushers.

James Starks – he has been hobbling for several weeks now and Coach Mike McCarthy is doing the right thing by sitting the second-year player. Starks could probably take at least a couple of weeks off to get healed up for the late season playoff run.

Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk – the starting inside linebackers were hurt in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day game and missed last week. It looks like Hawk has an outside shot of playing, but Bishop is out. In their places, Robert Francois and D.J. Smith have played admirably.

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Finally, the Packers have something to cheer about when looking at the injury report. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I took a peek at the Green Bay Packers’ injury report issued this afternoon.

For the first time in ages … and I mean at least the past year … the report shows that the Packers are just about injury-free. Take away the players on IR and those not expected back for some time, such as Chad Clifton and Mike Neal, and it’s nearly spotless.

In fact, it’s so clean and so different from what we see on the San Diego Chargers’ side that we could probably do a hop, skip and jump in celebration.

Well, maybe not, but it sure is something to be pleased with … especially at midseason.

Here’s what the Packers published today. Looks like for the first time in recent memory the Packers are going to hit the field in relatively good shape

INJURY REPORT
Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers – Week 9

Friday, November 4, 2011

GREEN BAY PACKERS
PLAYER INJURY  and PARTICIPATION STATUS
Morgan Burnett, S Hand Probable
Chad Clifton, T Knee / Hamstring  Out
Jamari Lattimore, LB Shoulder Probable
Clay Matthews, LB Quadricep  Probable
Mike Neal, DE Knee Out
Sam Shields, CB Concussion Probable
Josh Sitton, G Knee Probable
Frank Zombo, LB Knee Probable

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

PLAYER INJURY  and  PARTICIPATION STATUS
Luis Castillo, DE Tibia Out
Curtis Brinkley, RB Concussion Probable
Kris Dielman, G Concussion Out
Na’il Diggs, LB Knee Questionable
Malcom Floyd, WR Hip Questionable
Antonio Gates, TE Not Inj. Related Probable
Tyronne Green, G Hand Probable
Vincent Jackson, WR Hamstring Probable
Ryan Mathews, RB Groin Questionable
Shaun Phillips, LB Foot Doubtful
Michael Tolbert, RB Hamstring Probable

STATUS DEFINITIONS (all additions/changes are listed in bold):
Out – definitely will not play
Doubtful – at least 75% chance will not play
Questionable – 50-50 chance will not play
Probable – virtual certainty player will be available for normal duty

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Chad Clifton has been healthy this season, but he, like Charles Woodson, is a veteran who may appear on the injury list, but always finds a way to make it to the field. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The more things change, the more they stay the same … The cliche couldn’t be more true than  in the case of the Green Bay Packers.

Despite an injury report as long as your arm, the 4-0 Packers continue to carry on … Just like last year.

This week’s report includes cornerback Charles Woodson (foot, knee), outside linebacker Clay Matthews (quad), tight end Andrew Quarless (knee), right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) and defensive end Mike Neal (knee). Woodson and Matthews are expected to play this week. Quarless’ status is uncertain, and Neal is out.

However, there is some good news for the Packers … Linebacker Frank Zombo seems to be making a comeback at a faster rate than expected. That’s good news for a defense that continues to be gashed for huge plays of more than 20 yards and should welcome any help they can get.

In addition, it appears that right tackle Bryan Bulaga is itching to get back on the field. Of course the final decision on when Bulaga plays will be in the hands of the team doctors. That’s good news, but with Marshall Newhouse playing well in his absence, the Packers are sure to wait until their valuable second-year player is ready.

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