T.J. Lang confident he’ll be ready, but where will he play?
Posted by on December 12, 2012 – 4:03 pm
Offensive lineman T.J. Lang didn’t like sitting out last week’s game, the first one he’s missed since the start of 2011, when he became a full-time starter.
But he admitted it was best for him not to push it on his sore ankle, and he was back at practice on Wednesday feeling pretty good about his chances to play on Sunday in Chicago.
“That was probably the best-case scenario to give me an extra gameday to heal up and not bang it up any more and be close to fully recovered this week,” Lang said. “Those guys who played in the game last week all played well, so it was probably the smartest decision to sit out.”
Mike McCarthy said after practice that Lang took most of his reps on Wednesday at his old spot, left guard, which could indicate the Packers are going to stick with undrafted rookie Don Barclay at right tackle, who made his first start last week. Then again, McCarthy reiterated that Evan Dietrich-Smith, who had been playing Lang’s LG spot while Lang was playing RT in place of Bryan Bulaga, earned an offensive game ball for his performance last week.
McCarthy said he wants to see how Lang looks in practice throughout the week before making a final decision, so the offensive line will be prepared for various scenarios.
“We want to make sure Don Barclay gets as many reps as he can outside (at tackle),” McCarthy said. “We’ll make sure we’re ready to go.”
Lang said he had no trouble moving back to LG after his roughly month-long stint at RT. The best guess for now is if Lang is healthy enough to play, he’ll be back at his old spot.
“Like riding a bike, man,” Lang said. “It’s something I’ve done a lot of and it’s where my comfort level is.”
In other injury news, McCarthy said WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring) would be a longshot to play this week. The same goes for DE C.J. Wilson, whose knee injury is more serious than initially thought, though McCarthy still sounded hopeful Wilson could be back by season’s end. He has missed the last two games.
Also on the defensive line, DE Mike Neal (shoulder) practiced on Wednesday somewhat unexpectedly. The Packers signed another D-lineman, Jordan Miller, to the active roster from the practice squad on Tuesday due to the injuries to Wilson and Neal, but Neal is “making progress.”
CB Davon House missed practice due to an illness.
Tags: don barclay, evan dietrich-smith, jordy nelson, mike mccarthy, offensive line, t.j. lang
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By Nathan on Dec 12, 2012 | Reply
This is exciting stuff. If Barclay can turn out to be something special then who knows what we’ll do with Bulaga back. IMO the only real concern which has been a concern for a long time is our Left Tackle.
By Ev on Dec 12, 2012 | Reply
Bulaga will play when he’s back — he’s a top-ten tackle in the league, and he operates alone, allowing extra protection to go to the blind side.
By Adam Seehafer on Dec 12, 2012 | Reply
when Bulaga is back he will play, we need to worry about our left tackle position and center position for next year. We need better run blocking lineman.
By Chad on Dec 12, 2012 | Reply
I’d really like to see Bulaga have a go at Left Tackle. I think he’s got the ability, his arms are just a little shorter than the ideal LT. He’d definitely seem like an improvement over Newhouse. I like Barclay at RT. He’s gritty, and I think it’s something this team could use more of.
By NlGERlAGUEST on Dec 13, 2012 | Reply
Sometimes I wish I was a crinoid, for then my anus would be next to my mouth.
By Andrew on Dec 13, 2012 | Reply
Bulaga is not a top ten tackle in this league if you watched the first half of the Seahawks game.
By NJPackFan on Dec 15, 2012 | Reply
Barclay is doing a fantastic job at RT, especially for a rookie only starting one game. Evan Dietrich-Smith should eventually make his move to center over the next season or two, which is where he plays best if you remember him filling in last season he did well for a rookie. In my honest opinion, I would love to see Barclay stay at RT, Lang go back to LG, and Bulaga make the move to LT. Too much is put into tangibles like arm length and hand size, and he’ll be a step up from Newhouse
By NJPackFan on Dec 15, 2012 | Reply
Not to mention Barclay’s fantastic gritty run-blocking that the Pack’s O-line has been devoid of. And Evan is actually a really good run blocker too, I see this season as a dark point in the great future of the Packers O-line.
By chris on Dec 16, 2012 | Reply
I know Mason Crowsby has been on the Packers team for along time but, he needs to go. We want our Packers to win and won’t with him. Sorry Mason but, looking out for the team.
By Danilo on Dec 16, 2012 | Reply
Oh…man!! great win today for the PACK clinching the division. I think we should draft a kicker instead of getting rid of crosby beacause the available kickers might be good, but they don’t have a strong leg capable to make back to back 50+ FGs. When I watch a ravens game, I always notice that their rookie kicker Justin Tucker has a heck of a leg, and I think we should do the same thing they did drafting a good and strong kicker. GOPACKGO##