Despite being a limited participant for the second straight day of practice due to a sprained foot, left guard Daryn Colledge expressed little doubt that he will play Sunday against the Bengals.
Colledge's work on Friday was limited to rehab, but said it was more because the team's doctors felt there was nothing to gain by him putting any unnecessary strain on his foot.
Colledge, who has never missed a contest in his NFL career with 49 straight games played, sustained the injury during practice on Thursday when another player stepped on his right foot. Colledge also played in all 52 games in college at Boise State, and never missed a game due to injury in high school at North Pole High in Alaska either.
"I'm ready to go," Colledge said. "I expect to be out there. I haven't missed a start yet and I don't plan on missing one this week.
"The coaches and the staff felt that it was just safer to say, 'Hey, you've worked enough and we know what you can do. Let's just give you a chance to rest and be ready,' and I want to be 100 percent for the weekend."
Typically Head Coach Mike McCarthy has said that players who can't practice on Fridays won't play on Sundays, but he said the timing of Colledge's injury made this situation a little different.
"I'd say the circumstances are based on when he was injured, being injured halfway through a Thursday practice, giving him an opportunity for the doctors to test him and go through that process," McCarthy said. "He rehabbed today, and we're going to test him tomorrow just to see where he is. I think he has a good chance of playing."
If Colledge is unable to play on Sunday, the Packers could go in a couple of different directions with the offensive line. One option would be to move center Jason Spitz to Colledge's left-guard spot with backup Scott Wells starting at center. Spitz, who played primarily right guard his first three years, started two games at left guard in each of the last three seasons, and Wells started 43 games at center during that period. Another possibility would be to insert rookie T.J. Lang at left guard and leave the rest of the line intact.
McCarthy talked throughout the offseason about his desire to settle on a consistent starting unit for the offensive line after using five different starting combinations in 2008.
"I wish there was an exactness to this sport altogether," McCarthy said. "But it doesn't work that way. We're going to play our best five players on the offensive line, and that's what our decision will be based on. If Daryn can't go, we'll make those adjustments."
But it appears the Packers won't have to worry about any re-shuffling, and Colledge is anxious to get back out on the field with the rest of an offensive line that is eager to put forth a stronger performance than they did in the season opener vs. Chicago, one that included four sacks of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"I think everybody is just excited to get back and prove themselves," Colledge said. "I don't think anybody was shattered. Some things went wrong and everybody had a play that went bad. It wasn't like we had a total blowup. We did what we had to do at the end of the game and won, and that was good for all of us.
"I think we're really in the mindset of let's get back, let's correct the mistakes and let's show what we're really all about."
Getting some kicks in
Kicker Mason Crosby was limited for the third straight day with an abdominal strain, but did kick for the first time this week and is probable for Sunday against the Bengals.
"It feels loose," Crosby said. "I didn't have any problems out there, so it was good. I give credit to the trainers, just getting in there and getting some good work and making sure this doesn't become a long-term thing."
Crosby said he originally felt some soreness on Monday following the Chicago game, and then aggravated the injury lifting weights on Tuesday. He kicked field goals inside Lambeau Field on Friday, going back to a distance around 45 yards, and said he didn't feel any effects from the injury.
"I felt like I still had some good pop," said Crosby, who did not attempt any kickoffs on Friday. "That's probably the biggest thing you think about whenever you take a little time off, is that power still going to be there? I think if anything that rest helped me with that part."
Even though he didn't take his normal number of kicks during practice this week, Crosby said he will maintain the same approach for his pre-game warm-up on Sunday morning.
"I'm going to get out there, see how I am feeling, and just do what I do every week," Crosby said. "Hit enough balls that I feel comfortable and not overdo it, not do too many kicks, and just go out there and try to do the same thing I do all of the time. I think I do a good job of managing all of the kicks.
"Definitely because I took some time off and because there was a little ailment, I want to make sure I don't over-kick. We'll go out there and get a good warm-up and be ready for the game."
Still questionable
Nose tackle B.J. Raji was a full participant for the third straight practice, but is still questionable for Sunday.
Raji was inactive for last Sunday's opener against Chicago, but said his injured ankle feels much better than it did a week ago.
"It's still a little bit sore," Raji said. "Nothing I can't handle, but I'm learning that the final decision is not left up to me. We'll see. Hopefully I'll find out before Sunday so I'll know."
{sportsad300}McCarthy said the team would wait to see how Raji responded to his treatment on Friday, and that he would talk to defensive coordinator Dom Capers and defensive line coach Mike Trgovac before making a decision.
When Raji does get back on the field, he is expected to provide depth at both defensive end and nose tackle. Against Chicago, both starting defensive ends, Cullen Jenkins and Johnny Jolly, played 60-plus snaps.
Raji said he wasn't sure how many snaps he could expect to get on Sunday if he does play, but he is excited to contribute in whatever role he has.
"I pray to God I play on Sunday," Raji said. "But at the same token, like I said, I don't make the decision. But I'm really anxious to get out there and play."
Injury/participation update
Safety Atari Bigby (knee) and running back Brandon Jackson (ankle) are both out for Sunday.
Wide receiver Greg Jennings (wrist) was limited for the third straight practice, but is probable.
Cornerback Will Blackmon (quad), who missed the season opener, participated fully for the third straight day and is probable. He is expected to handle punt- and kick-return duties on Sunday.
Tackle Chad Clifton (not injury related) was limited in Friday's practice, but McCarthy said he will play on Sunday.
For Cincinnati, cornerback David Jones (foot), guard Nate Livings (knee) and tackle Andre Smith (foot) are out for Sunday.
Tackle Scott Kooistra (knee), halfback Brian Leonard (chest) and quarterback Jordan Palmer (illness) were all full participants in Friday's practice and are probable.
