During his Friday press conference, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy ruled out both Desmond Bishop and Ryan Pickett for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs but said that James Starks, Brandon Saine and Josh Sitton all have a chance to play.
Bishop and Pickett have both been held out of practice this week. Bishop will miss his third straight game after injuring his calf against the Lions in Week 13. Pickett suffered his second concussion of the season against the Raiders last Sunday and won’t make the trip to Kansas City.
Rookie D.J. Smith will make his third straight start for Bishop, and C.J. Wilson is listed behind Pickett on the Packers depth chart. Jarius Wynn and Mike Neal should also see more snaps in Pickett’s absence.
Both Starks (injury) and Saine (concussion) have missed this week’s practices, but McCarthy said they’ll be game-time decisions. If they checkout on the field in Kansas City before kickoff, each will have a chance to play. The Packers are hopeful that one of the two will be able to play, as Ryan Grant and John Kuhn are the only other healthy ball carriers on the roster. No roster move was made to fortify the position this week.
Sitton, who went out in Detroit with a knee sprain, has done light work at practice this week and has a chance to play. The coaching and medial staff will weigh how Sitton feels about giving it a go with a brace on his knee. If he can’t play, Evan Dietrich-Smith will make another start at right guard. One could only assume the Packers would play it safe with Sitton even if he thinks he can play on Sunday.
A.J. Hawk (calf) and Vic So’oto (back) were full participants this week and are expected to play on Sunday.
Other highlights from McCarthy’s Friday press conference:
- McCarthy was unaware of any interview being conducted with Packers quarterback coach Tom Clements at Penn State. Said Clements would be “an outstanding candidate.”
- McCarthy was glad that WR Tori Gurley decided to stay. Pointed out that Gurley is an “up-and-coming player” and an “inquisitive” young man. He’s taken advantage of his opportunities in Green Bay so far.
- Andrew Quarless has not had surgery on his knee. That procedure will happen soon. Quarless is on crutches but “spirits are high.”
Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.
You can read more of Zach's Packers articles on AllGreenBayPackers.com.
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I wish the best for Quarless and his surgery. I was reviewing the Giant game yesterday and witnessed his injury again. It looked terrible (again). It’s got to be hard on a young guy to go through an injury like this, with so much going for him. Hope to see you next year on the field Andrew.