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Pickett returns to practice Thursday

As Mike McCarthy suspected, DL Ryan Pickett was back on the practice field on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a quad injury. Both McCarthy and Pickett expressed confidence that Pickett would play on Sunday, and he appears on track to doing so.

Still no LB Clay Matthews, however, whose hamstring injury is going to be re-evaluated on Friday. No C.J. Wilson (knee) on the defensive line, either.

Also, WR Donald Driver (thumb) and TE Andrew Quarless (knee) did not practice on Thursday for a workout that did not include pads. The Packers have been practicing in pads most Thursdays this season, but the new CBA rules allow for only 14 padded practices during the regular season, so a couple of weeks here and there have to be without pads entirely. This would be one of those weeks.

Driver, Pickett, Wilson not practicing Wednesday

Depending on the post-practice update from Mike McCarthy, the Packers could be a little thin on the defensive line for Sunday’s showdown against the Vikings and RB Adrian Peterson.

DL Ryan Pickett and C.J. Wilson were both sitting out practice on Wednesday during the portion of the workout open to reporters. Pickett will be new to the injury list when it is released after practice. Wilson left Sunday night’s game against the Giants with a knee injury.

Also, WR Donald Driver was not practicing. Driver has been on the injury report with a thumb injury, but he hasn’t missed any games. Backup RB Johnny White, who left Sunday’s game with a concussion, also did not practice.

Continuing to sit out on defense were DB Charles Woodson, CB Sam Shields and LB Clay Matthews.

Reliant Stadium an unfamiliar place

You can count on one hand the number of current Green Bay Packers who have played at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.

Only one was with the team the first and only time the Packers played at Reliant Stadium in 2004, and that was WR Donald Driver. Coincidentally, that was also a prime-time Sunday night game.

The other three are veterans who played in Houston while employed by other teams.

C Jeff Saturday has the most experience in the stadium, having played several years for the Indianapolis Colts, an AFC South rival of Houston’s who would travel to Reliant Stadium every season.

Also, CB Charles Woodson played against the Texans in Houston in 2004 as a member of the Raiders, and DL Ryan Pickett did the same in ’05 while with the Rams.

RB Cedric Benson played in Houston as a member of the Bengals in 2008 and in the AFC playoffs last season, but Benson is now on injured reserve.

Packers appear to be getting healthier

Wednesday’s practice was not in pads, but based on the players who participated in the portion of the workout open to the media, it appears the Packers are getting healthier on the injury front.

Defensive linemen B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett were both practicing, as was inside linebacker Robert Francois. All three of them have been battling injuries stemming from the last two preseason contests.

Also, CB Davon House and LB Jamari Lattimore were doing some drills, but they weren’t as active in practice as the others. That could mean they’re close to returning but not enough to be active for a game yet. S Sean Richardson and RB James Starks continued to sit out.

The first injury report of the week will be released after practice, when Mike McCarthy addresses the media around 1:40 p.m. CT.