Along the way to only their second loss of the season Sunday, the Packers also lost several players to injury at the Metrodome.
The most significant of those injuries appears to be to backup running back Najeh Davenport, who broke a bone in his left eye socket on the opening kickoff against the Vikings while bringing down Minnesota return man Nick Davis with a thunderous tackle at the 21-yard-line.
Monday, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Davenport would miss at least the rest of the week, and could be lost for the season if surgery is deemed necessary.
Starting right guard Marco Rivera, on the other hand, might be able to play this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rivera left the Minnesota game in the first quarter after spraining the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee.
Rivera was replaced by second-year guard Bill Ferrario. Although Sherman spoke positively about Ferrario's performance, he said he would consider moving Mike Flanagan to guard and having Frank Winters start at center if Rivera can't play Sunday.
"We'll go with our five best," Sherman said. "Whichever gives us the best chance to win the game, that's how we'll go."
Earlier this season, Rivera sprained the MCL in his left knee at Detroit (Sept. 22), but was able to recover in time to start against the Carolina Panthers the following week. Including playoffs, Rivera has started in 76 of Green Bay's last 77 games.
"Marco has proven to be a great healer, so we'll just take that day by day," Sherman said.
Na'il Diggs said he injured both of his knees on the Metrodome turf Sunday, but the more severe injury was to his right knee. Monday, Diggs underwent an MRI and said he hopes to be able to play at Tampa Bay. Sherman said Diggs strained his MCL and would be listed as questionable.
Also experiencing the injury double-whammy over the weekend was rookie defensive end Aaron Kampman.
First, Kampman broke his right hand during pregame warm-ups. Then, after making his sixth start of the season -- with the injured hand heavily wrapped -- Kampman was sent to the sideline with a concussion.
Sherman said Monday that Kampman responded positively to the concussion and should be able to play Sunday with his hand in a cast.
Kampman has been starting in place of five-year veteran Vonnie Holliday, who missed the last two games after undergoing athroscopic surgery in his right knee, November 6. Sherman said Holliday could return this week, but will be listed as questionable.
In other injury news, defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt (knee) is expected to make his return this week, although Sherman said it was too soon to determine if Hunt would practice Wednesday.
Cornerback Tyrone Williams is also expected to recover in time to play this weekend's game, after straining his left hamstring against the Vikings. Including playoffs, Williams has played in 115 consecutive games.
