GREEN BAY – Bryan Bulaga and Nick Perry will not be on the field for Thursday's first practice, but Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't believe either is in jeopardy of missing the regular-season opener.
Bulaga, the veteran right tackle, is coming off a torn ACL from last November, while the injury to Perry at outside linebacker is his ankle. They were placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start camp, but the outlook for both starters is positive.
"The biggest thing with Bryan and Nick, I don't think there's any threat to be ready for the season," McCarthy said prior to Thursday's first workout. "I know both guys are champing to get out there in full mode."
If Bulaga stays on track for Week 1, it would be a speedy and impressive recovery given his knee surgery was roughly eight months ago. This is the second ACL injury of Bulaga's career, the first coming during camp back in 2013.
"He looks great," McCarthy said. "I think Bryan has been here the whole summer, except maybe one day, two days. Same with Nick. This is more of a Dr. McKenzie-type decision, looking at the history and where they are in their career. These two guys have played a lot of football."
The Packers also placed receiver Michael Clark and rookie offensive lineman Cole Madison on the reserve/did not report list.
McCarthy indicated Clark has made a "personal decision" to move on from football, and he contacted the Packers a couple of weeks ago to let them know. Meanwhile Madison's situation is a personal matter that surfaced recently. Both issues were unexpected.
"I think Mike is a very young, talented football player. He still had a lot of things in front of him," McCarthy said. "With respect to Cole, I do not have any timeline (to report)."
The health of outside linebacker Clay Matthews is being watched closely also. Matthews sat out all of OTAs due to an offseason procedure on his knee, and then he broke his nose in a charity softball game in June.
McCarthy said the medical staff's greater concern is with the knee, and his snaps in camp will be adjusted accordingly.
"We just have to be smart with his reps," McCarthy said.
