clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Packers Injury Update: Eddie Lacy, Morgan Burnett Practicing, but Finley and Matthews Out

The Packers appear to be getting a few banged-up bodies back from injury, but not as many as hoped.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It's only a brief practice, but it may speak volumes about how various players are recovering from injury. The Green Bay Packers took the field today, and we got the first look at the team's health after the bye week. Fortunately, some of the news is good, as running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin were practicing along with safety Morgan Burnett.

Unfortunately, the list of concerning absences was longer than the list of returning players:

Starks' absence likely was one motivating factor for the Packers promoting running back Michael Hill to the active roster today, but having the two rookies back at practice likely means that Hill would be relegated to special teams duty. Burnett's return, if it holds up through the week (knock on wood) would send Jerron McMillian and Chris Banjo back to the bench and special teams (though McMillian may be called on in the nickel or dime packages). Finley's top replacement would obviously be Andrew Quarless, but with Kuhn out as well Quarless may be called on to play more of a hybrid tight end/fullback role. That would necessitate more production from Brandon Bostick.

The most concerning injury, however, is to Clay Matthews. The Packers have gotten little pass rush from Nick Perry on the left side of the defense, and relying on Perry and likely rookie Andy Mulumba sounds like trouble. It's no coincidence that the Packers' defense struggled without Matthews last week in Cincinnati. Hopefully he will return during the week and be able to play on Sunday against the Lions.

More from Acme Packing Company:

Not a member? Join Acme Packing Company and start commenting | Follow @AcmePackingCo on Twitter | Like Acme Packing Company on Facebook | Subscribe to our RSS feed