Packers injury list long, but looking better

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.

Also on the good news side of things, Donald Driver has made it back onto the practice field. After a leg whip injury last week in the first half against the Broncos, Driver played in the second half and even caught one of the four touchdown passes thrown by Aaron Rodgers.

Though he was limping after the game, he was well enough to bounce back for practice today.

So while the Packers continue to be hit by the injury bug, other than the season-ending neck injury suffered by Nick Collins, the team seems to be getting by just as they did last year.

In other news, coach Mike McCarthy touched on a number of items in his daily presser.

As previously published in the Green Bay Press Gazette, here are some of the coach’s comments:

*Game against Falcons will have a playoff feel.

*Aaron Rodgers has worked hard and has received good coaching. It’s a combination, but it comes down to the player wanting to put the work in.

*Didn’t feel we did good job of finishing games the first three weeks. Thought we did better vs. Broncos but we still had two fourth-quarter turnovers.

*Playing in dome is different than playing at home. Stating the obvious. Significantly louder in playoff game last year than in regular season. We’re preparing for playoff type noise level.

*Impressed with Falcons defense. As far as secondary, they’re competitive bunch, very physical. One of better pursuing defenses we face. Very aggressive and fundamentally sound.

*I would think they would be motivated after playoff game. We are fully expecting and looking forward to competitive football game.

*Haven’t seen Nick ‘Collins but I am told he is doing well.

*When you’re injured as player, it may not directly affect you, but continuity that comes along with practice is important. We’re young, we thrive on getting better as year goes along. Staying healthy helps you. Injuries make continuity a challenge. Not making excuses for injuries (like Woodson and Matthews). Young players need to practice every day. We do have some veterans that are banged up. Woodson not as young as he used to, but he can still go out there and play at high level.

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