At this point, all the Green Bay Packers know for sure about Donald Driver's return from a sprained neck is that it won't happen this week against the Detroit Lions.
GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Wednesday that there's a chance Driver could return to the football field in time to play at Arizona, September 21, but that the more realistic bet would be the Chicago game, September 29.
With Driver sidelined, the Packers are without their top receiver from 2002. But after watching Driver land on his head last weekend, before being removed from the field on a stretcher, the Packers are content to get by without him for a while.
"I'm just thankful that he's okay," Sherman said. "Things are coming along better now than they had previously, but certainly this week will not be part of his recovery."
Released from the hospital Tuesday, Driver wore a neck brace Wednesday while visiting with teammates at Lambeau Field.
Quarterback Brett Favre said he was pleased to see Driver on his feet, but cautioned the receiver to take his time in his recovery.
"My comment to Donald was, 'Hey, great to see you back up and healthy, because it beats the alternative,'" Favre said. "'But we're not worried about you coming back and catching touchdowns. We want you to be healthy.'
"And that's the truth. Donald's a great player, and he helps this football team, but do I want to rush him back so he can further injure something? I want him back as soon as possible, but I want him healthy."
With Driver out and Robert Ferguson questionable for Sunday, the Packers re-signed Antonio Freeman and Chris Jackson to bolster the receiving corps that includes Javon Walker and Antonio Chatman.
Karsten Bailey, who was at least two weeks away from returning from a hamstring injury, was waived to make room for the new acquisitions.
