Amidst all the injuries the Packers are dealing with, they’re actually starting to get healthier at some spots, which “encouraged” Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
RB James Starks (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday and was listed as a full participant, though it was a non-padded practice. Starks has been out since injuring his knee in the first half at Cincinnati in Week 3.
“James Starks looked good,” McCarthy said. “Looks to be back. We didn’t do a whole lot of team (drills) today. We were in helmets. Did a lot of jog-through and a lot of teaching periods today. Based on the workload, I thought he looked fine.”
Also listed as full participants were three players with hamstring injuries — LB Brad Jones, CB Jarrett Bush and CB Casey Hayward.
McCarthy said Jones is being “eased” back into things, but this marks the second straight week Hayward has practiced on Wednesday and appears on track to work every day. Hayward has yet to play this season after missing all but three practices in training camp.
“When push came to shove, he was close last week,” McCarthy said. “It’s good for him to get his confidence back. I think he’ll be ready to go with a full week of work.”
McCarthy didn’t have anything new to report on TE Jermichael Finley, who is seeking opinions from multiple specialists regarding his neck injury and his future outlook. Finley remains in a local hospital but continues to improve.
“We’re going to wait until everything comes in,” McCarthy said, referring to the medical reports. “(Team physician) Pat McKenzie is collecting all the information, and we’ll do our due diligence. We will not be premature on anything, and we will do what’s in the best interest of Jermichael Finley. That’s where we are.”
Always good to hear players starting to return.