Injury Report: Cowboys at Packers

Obviously injuries run deep with the Green Bay Packers, but there were two stories I was watching closely. First, LG Daryn Colledge was a full participant at practice on Friday after sitting out Thursday. It looked certain that OL Jason Spitz was set to make his first start in over a year, but whatever treatment Colledge had on Thursday worked.

Second, would the Packers activate either CB Al Harris or SS Atari Bigby to fill their empty roster spot? They decided to activate Bigby over Harris. Bigby isn't starting, or I would have read about him practicing with the first team defense, so I'm guessing his primary role will be on special teams (if he isn't left inactive). We'll have to wait until Monday to see what this means for Harris. Mike McCarthy was clear about RB James Starks: "he has a lot to learn." My guess is that they release Starks or RB Dimitri Nance and try to get that player signed to the practice squad.

Here's the complete injury report from Packers.com. As usual, I expect all the guys listed as probable will play (LT Chad Clifton, Colledge, FS Nick Collins, DE Cullen Jenkins, LB Clay Matthews, Nance, QB Aaron Rodgers, CB Charles Woodson). WR Donald Driver and CB Pat Lee have missed practice all week, and they are out. I don't expect any of the players listed as questionable will play (DE Ryan Pickett, TE Andrew Quarless, or RT Mark Tauscher). Mike McCarthy said Quarless had a setback, but Pickett looked good and it's possible he'll play. 

With Lee unavailable, and the return game providing so little this season, it's disappointing to read that former Packer DB Will Blackmon is finally healthy and should be returning kick and punts on Sunday for the Giants. With all the injuries this season, it was a lot to ask for the Packers to keep a seat warm for him this season. But the special teams sure could use a boost in the return game.

As for the Cowboys, obviously QB Tony Romo is out, but they got a little good news because starting CB Terence Newman and LG Kyle Kosier should both return. Kosier's been expected back all week, while Newman hasn't made it clear he's ready to return though he's listed as probable. Their offensive line should be better with Kosier, but they have lost some depth because backup OL Montrae Holland is out.