Packers expect Bulaga, Perry for Week 1, but both start camp on PUP

The Green Bay Packers opened up training camp by placing offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and linebacker Nick Perry on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list according to the team.

With a PUP designation at this time, Bulaga and Perry will not be able to practice. If they’re kept on PUP to begin the season, each will be forced to miss the first six games of the season but head coach Mike McCarthy said he expects both players to be ready for the Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears.

Perry landing on the list with a hand injury is the bigger surprise as well as the bigger concern. The Packers were counting on Perry and Clay Matthews staying healthy this season to generate the majority of the pass rush. With Perry apparently still being bothered by a hand injury, Green Bay is now even thinner at an already thin spot though again Perry should be set to start the regular season.

Until Perry returns, it’s likely to mean it’ll be the Vince Biegel and Reggie Gilbert show at outside linebacker opposite Matthews.

Bulaga’s appearance on the list meanwhile is not too surprising considering he tore his ACL in Week 9 last year. Given the recovery timeframe, the PUP list was pretty much a foregone conclusion for Bulaga.

Until he returns, Jason Spriggs is likely to see most of the first team reps at right tackle.

It is not clear when either player will be ready to fully participate in practice, but Bulaga thought he’d be ready to practice today though the medical staff wants to wait until the nine month mark from his injury before clearing him. That nine month date will be August 6.