Blogs

Thursday’s coverage

The Packers’ special teams are in need of a bounce-back effort after a rough night in Chicago on Monday. After two strong performances to start the season, the units took a step back in Week 3 and now must go back in the other direction. That’s in today’s feature story.

Rookie DE Mike Neal appears closer to making his NFL debut. Also, Detroit will start QB Shaun Hill on Sunday as the Packers try to make him the 12th different starting QB for the Lions to lose on Wisconsin soil since Green Bay’s home winning streak over the Lions began in 1992. For those stories, check out today’s notebook.

Injury update, McCarthy comments

The Packers added two players to the injury report on Thursday. Nickel CB Sam Shields was limited with a calf injury, and LB Brady Poppinga was limited with a hamstring.

McCarthy said he was still gathering more information on Shields. Of the two players who sat out practice — LB Brandon Chillar and S Nick Collins — McCarthy sounded confident Collins would be able to play in the game, but was “doubtful” on Chillar.

For a full transcript of McCarthy’s remarks, click here.

Matthews named NFC Defensive Player of Month

LB Clay Matthews has been named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Month for September.

This marks the third straight year the Packers have had the conference’s top defensive player in the first month of the season. CB Charles Woodson won the award in September in both 2008 and 2009. Last year, Woodson also won the monthly award in November and December on his way to Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Per the NFL press release, Matthews:

• Led the NFL with six sacks during the month as the Packers went 2-1.
• Led the team in solo tackles (15) and also forced a fumble.
• Had two games with three sacks in September (Weeks 1 and 2), becoming the first player in franchise history with at least three sacks in back-to-back games.
• Became just the sixth player with at least six sacks in the first two games of a season since the sack became an official statistic in 1982.
• Is the first Packers linebacker to be honored since Na’il Diggs in December, 2002.

The NFC’s other honorees were Philadelphia QB Michael Vick (offense) and New Orleans’ Courtney Roby (special teams). AFC winners were Houston RB Arian Foster (offense), Indianapolis DE Robert Mathis (defense) and Cincinnati K Mike Nugent (Cincinnati).

Thursday practice update

LB Brandon Chillar (shoulder) and S Nick Collins (knee) were sitting out Thursday during the portion of practice open to the media.

Coach McCarthy will have an update when he speaks with the media following practice.

Stay tuned also for today’s feature story and notes.