Quick update for you on our injury front. Not much changed on the Packers’ side of the report. In fact so little changed that there is no need for a full chart for the Packers today. Here are changes that have happened since yesterday:
Davon House returned to practice today and was a full participant after no practicing Wednesday because of an illness. No real surprise given that it’s cold and flu season, but it’s still good to see him back.
Marshall Newhouse was a full participant in practice on Thursday after only being a limited participant on Wednesday.
Jerron McMillian was limited in practice on Thursday after a sore back flared up. The good news is that this should not prevent McMillian from playing in the game Sunday, based on comments made by coach McCarthy during his post-practice press conference.
McCarthy also brought other good news as well. Coach McCarthy stated that things look good for T.J. Lang to be back in action this weekend. This is good, and before you ask, Lang was only a limited participant and there is not much indication as to whether he will play LG or RT.
McCarthy also said that Mike Neal is ahead of schedule for his return from a shoulder injury and he may be able to play this Sunday as well. For a player who has been knocked for being injury prone it’s good to see Neal getting healthy quicker than medical staff expected and getting on the field.
Since the Bears were in practice today there was some major changes on their injury report, here’s the full chart.
| Name | Position | Injury | Wed | Thrus |
| Earl Bennett | WR | Concussion | DNP | DNP |
| Lance Briggs | LB | Knee / Hip | DNP | LP |
| Michael Bush | RB | Ribs | DNP | DNP |
| Jay Cutler | QB | Neck / Knee | DNP | LP |
| Kellen Davis | TE | Knee | DNP | LP |
| Geno Hayes | LB | Knee | DNP | LP |
| Tim Jennings | CB | Shoulder | DNP | DNP |
| Shea McClellin | DE | Knee | DNP | DNP |
| Henry Melton | DT | Chest | DNP | DNP |
| Stephen Paea | DT | Foot | FP | FP |
| Jonathan Scott | T | Shoulder | DNP | LP |
| Chris Spencer | G | Knee | FP | FP |
| Charles Tillman | CB | Shoulder | FP | FP |
| Matt Toeina | DT | Knee | - | LP |
| Brian Urlacher | LB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP |
As I suspected, when there is an actual practice in place Lance Briggs and Jay Cutler are suddenly now limited participants. Expect both to play on Sunday.
Two players of note that did not participate on Thursday are Michael Bush and Henry Melton. Melton can be a force in the middle of the line for the Bears. If he is not able to be there then that should lessen the interior pass pressure the Packers face…as well as possibly open up some running lanes for the new found ground attack. Bush is the power attack in the Bears running strategy. It could be a significant blow to the Bears if he is not able to play on Sunday.