Packers alert: Diggs injured, thin at LB for Thurs vs. SD

[Ego74]

<!--StartFragment --> GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay Packers linebacker Na'il Diggs has a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will miss at least two weeks.

Diggs left practice Monday on a cart after a pileup during 11-on-11 team drills. An MRI exam Tuesday confirmed the slight tear.

"There's still concern, because he's not back out here," coach Mike Sherman said Tuesday. "At the same time, it's not a surgical issue, which certainly is an advantage for us and for him. I'm grateful for that."

General manager Ted Thompson was somewhat relieved by the diagnosis.

"I don't think it's serious," Thompson said. "The good news is it's not a worst case scenario."

With Diggs out and potential replacement Raynoch Thompson missing both practices to rest a swollen knee, the Packers' No. 1 linebacker unit consisted of Hannibal Navies on the weak side, Nick Barnett in the middle and Paris Lenon on the strong side.

The Packers are already without injured rookie linebackers Brady Poppinga (hamstring) and Kurt Campbell (knee), so defensive coordinator Jim Bates said the remaining healthy linebackers will have to learn multiple positions.

Some will have to play at least two spots during Thursday's preseason opener at Lambeau Field against San Diego.

"That's the only way we'll be able to go this week with the lack of numbers," Bates said.

Wide receiver Javon Walker returned to practice Tuesday morning after injuring his left hamstring Sunday. He caught two deep passes, one from Brett Favre and one from Craig Nall, before sitting out the afternoon

 

[Roxygurl]

Even with Pro Bowl receiver Javon Walker in camp, a scout who has scrutinized the Packers' performance in a recent scrimmage with the Bills says that the Pack looked "awful."



Actually, "f--king awful" was the precise quote, with a twist of "very disorganized."



Although there's still a long way to go before the season opens, it's not a good sign for a squad that lost a lot in the offseason -- and did little in the way of upgrading the talent. Coupled with the uncertain status of head coach Mike Sherman and the lack of horses to make Jim Bates' defense as effective as it was in Miami, and it could be a long season for the Cheeseheads.



Then again, folks have been predicting doom and gloom for the Pack prior to each of the past couple of seasons. Meanwhile, they keep finding a way to win the NFC North.



Still, it could be different this year. Even with a motivated and committed Brett Favre at quarterback, he simply might not have the surrounding pieces to be successful.



And at could mean that former G.M. Mike Sherman soon will also add the word "former" in front of his remaining title with the team. meanwhile theres key injurys in the charger camp too ego. i will get that information to you asap. ~RG


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[Ego74]

thanks roxy

 

[Roxygurl]

Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards sprained his right ankle in Monday's second practice and looks doubtful to play Thursday in the team's exhibition season opener against the Green Bay Packers.

"It's throbbing, and I can't walk on it,'' Edwards said, with a fresh set of crutches at his side.

Edwards, who led the team with 151 tackles and five interceptions last season, will have the ankle X-rayed to learn the extent of the damage.

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Coach Marty Schottenheimer was almost cavalier regarding Edwards' availability in Green Bay.

"He's the plastic man,'' Schottenheimer said. "He bends but he doesn't break. Donnie will play ---- it's on national TV.''

Merriman ailing

Top pick Shawne Merriman's debut could be delayed until the Chargers' home exhibition Aug. 21 against the St. Louis Rams.

Merriman was having the big toenail on his left foot removed Monday, after it was stepped on last week in workouts.

"It's like a paper cut in that it hurts like hell,'' said Merriman, an outside linebacker.

The draft's 12th overall selection said he "should be good'' for the Packers game.

Schottenheimer said otherwise.

"If we were putting out an injury report, he would be questionable to doubtful,'' Schottenheimer said.

Merriman is also bothered by a strained hamstring suffered Saturday in practice. That was the injury Schottenheimer seemed most concerned about.

No L.T.

Those expecting a dose of running back LaDainian Tomlinson on Thursday will be disappointed.

Reading Schottenheimer's body language indicated Tomlinson won't play against the Packers.

"It's not likely, but we'll wait and see,'' Schottenheimer said.

Quarterback Drew Brees should go the first quarter, followed by Philip Rivers for two quarters, Schottenheimer said. Cleo Lemon and possibly Craig Ochs will finish up.

Still no Gates

General manager A.J. Smith said "the lines of communication are still open'' in regard to negotiations with unsigned Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.

Andre Colona, Gates' agent, didn't return a phone message.

Gates has missed 19 practice sessions in his contract dispute.

Quick hits

Those who missed a portion or both of Monday's practices were OL Courtney VanBuren (knee), WR Malcom Floyd (calf), LBs Ben Leber (foot), Shawne Merriman (toe) and Marques Harris (back) and DL Adrian Dingle (knee) and Luis Castillo (foot). ... The team practices at 3:30 p.m. today.

 

[Roxygurl]

thanks roxy

ego,email me if you have questions k? ace-ace the same goes for you. i have more on this if this isnt enough.

 

[REDEYE]

I love Detroit in the opener against my Pack

 

[Roxygurl]

Chargers | Quarterback Plans


<A href="http://www.kffl.com/team/31/nfl">San Diego Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer said QB Drew Brees probably will play the first quarter of the team's preseason game Thursday, August 11, with QB Philip Rivers getting the next two. QB Cleo Lemon and possibly QB Craig Ochs will play the fourth quarter.

beware philip rivers. ive been to 5 practices now and in every one of them hes so erratic cleo lemon looks better than him! over throws every reciever and gets happy feet when the linebackers come.he SOOOO does NOT rock! not yet.

 

[Roxygurl]

san diego chargers LB Donnie Edwards (ankle) did not practice Tuesday, Aug. 9, and is unlikley to play in the team's preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 11. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer said that Edwards should be fine for the Aug. 21 contest against the St. Louis Rams. shawn merriman had a toenail yanked and he tweaked a hamstring and the bolts trainers are concerned that could become an issue. he wont play thursday either.apperently not many will.lol.

 

[THEGAME9000]

the sd/gb game is a toss-up, there's a good chance weather will be a serious factor.

rain in a preseason game of such little consequence will produce less effort and more emphasis on not getting hurt, on the other hand i watched the buf/gb scrimmage from start to finish last week and it's very safe to say that buffalo's offense is far superior to gb's defense straight down the line, as is gb's offense far inferior to buffalo's defense.

the entire scrimmage was like the buffalo pash rush was being led to the quarterbacks by the gb offensive linemen, it was pathetic to watch. the scary, or beautiful part, depending on your take, the bills pass rush could have sacked the gb qb's on litterally every snap.

i personally will pass on the sd/gb game and take out a mortgage for the following week when gb goes to buffalo.

GAME.