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Ryan Grant, A.J. Hawk, Frank Zombo earn game balls vs. Titans

The Packers coaching staff has awarded game balls to RB Ryan Grant (offense), LB A.J. Hawk (defense) and LB Frank Zombo (special teams) for their performances in the 55-7 victory over Tennessee on Sunday.

Grant, taking the bulk of the rushing workload for an injured Alex Green (concussion), rushed 20 times for 80 yards and two TDs. It was the most rushing yards by a Packers RB this season since Cedric Benson had 84 in Week 4 vs. New Orleans. It was also the most carries Grant has had in a game since late in the 2009 season. He added a 34-yard reception on a screen pass for 114 total yards from scrimmage.

Hawk was credited by the press box statisticians with seven tackles (six solo), including two sacks and three tackles for loss. He also had three QB hits. It was Hawk’s first two-sack game since 2008 as the Packers racked up seven sacks total of Tennessee QB Jake Locker.

Zombo was credited with one coverage tackle, bringing down Titans returner Darius Reynaud at the 21-yard line on the opening kickoff.

Williams, Dietrich-Smith, Zombo earn game balls

The Packers’ coaching staff has awarded game balls from Sunday night’s victory over Detroit to the following three players:

Defense — CB Tramon Williams

Offense — G Evan Dietrich-Smith

Special teams — LB Frank Zombo

Williams drew the assignment of guarding Lions WR Calvin Johnson for most of the game, getting safety help over the top much of the time. Johnson had 10 receptions for 118 yards, but when none of those receptions was longer than 20 yards and he didn’t find the end zone, that’s a strong night’s work against the league’s leading receiver.

Dietrich-Smith was a key blocker in the Packers’ surging ground attack. He pancaked Detroit’s Nick Fairley on a draw play to RB Alex Green that converted a third-and-2 on the go-ahead TD drive in the fourth quarter. He then threw the key block on LB Justin Durant, pulling around from his left guard spot to undercut Durant at the point of attack as RB DuJuan Harris scooted through the huge hole for a 14-yard TD.

Zombo wasn’t credited for any tackles on special teams, but it’s worth noting that the Lions averaged just 20.3 yards on four kickoff returns and the special teams overall had another solid game. The only hiccup was K Mason Crosby’s miss from 51 yards in the second half, which barely hooked left.

Zombo, Quarless practice for first time

LB Frank Zombo and TE Andrew Quarless came off the physically unable to perform list and practiced on Wednesday for the first time this season.

That begins a three-week window during which they can practice without counting on the 53-man active roster. By the end of the next three weeks, the Packers will have to decide whether to activate them to the 53, release them, or put them on injured reserve.

The other player on PUP, T Derek Sherrod, is still not practicing.

Also sitting out Wednesday’s workout during the portion open to the media were CB Sam Shields (shin), LB Nick Perry (knee), WR Greg Jennings (groin) and DL B.J. Raji (ankle). Shields and Perry were hurt during Sunday’s game in Houston, while Jennings and Raji both missed that game.

Meanwhile, S Sean Richardson (hamstring) returned to practice after being out for several weeks.

Update: After practice, Mike McCarthy said Zombo and Quarless would work primarily on the “look” or scout teams in practice this week and then possibly move into special teams work as time goes on.

Flynn will start at QB; Packers-Lions inactives

The following players have been declared as inactive for today’s Packers-Lions game:

Green Bay Packers
12 QB Aaron Rodgers
18 WR Randall Cobb
21 CB Charles Woodson
44 RB James Starks
52 LB Clay Matthews
75 T Bryan Bulaga
85 WR Greg Jennings

Starting lineup changes: On offense, #10 Matt Flynn will start at quarterback in place of #12 Aaron Rodgers. #74 Marshall Newhouse will start at right tackle in place of #75 Bryan Bulaga. #87 Jordy Nelson will start at wide receiver in place of #85 Greg Jennings. On defense, #37 Sam Shields will start at cornerback in place of #21 Charles Woodson. #59 Brad Jones will start at left outside linebacker in place of #52 Clay Matthews. #58 Frank Zombo will start at right outside linebacker in place of #93 Erik Walden.

Detroit Lions
5 QB Drew Stanton
26 S Louis Delmas
32 CB Aaron Berry
35 RB Joique Bell
39 S Ricardo Silva
75 G Leonard Davis
99 DT Corey Williams