The Packers held their first practice of the week on Wednesday, but linebacker Clay Matthews wasn’t able to join the team on the field.
Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that coach Mike McCarthy said that Matthews is doubtful to play this week against the Giants. Matthews injured his hamstring in Week Nine and missed last week’s game against the Lions. He was ruled out for that game on Wednesday, so this is a slight improvement albeit one that doesn’t bode all that well for the Packers.
McCarthy also said that it would be a stretch for wide receiver Greg Jennings to play this week. He was able to run routes on Wednesday, though, and appears to be making progress in his return from abdominal surgery. Jennings was a bit more optimistic.
“Today was a big step for me. Whether or not I play this week, that’s yet to be determined. As far as health, I want see how I feel tomorrow and how I respond to things today,” Jennings said. “I’m just trying to get out there as soon as possible. That’s my prognosis. I don’t really have a set timetable. Me personally, I don’t feel like I’m a long shot. Playing it safe, I guess you could say I’m a long shot.”
The same is not true of cornerback Sam Shields, since he’s got no shot. McCarthy ruled Shields out for this week’s game and said that he would miss more time after suffering a setback in his recovery from the ankle injury that’s kept him out of the last four games.