Blogs

Bulaga, Williams and Richardson selected as captains vs. Falcons

As per team tradition, the Packers select game captains each week.  Today’s captains will be T Bryan Bulaga (offense), CB Tramon Williams (defense) and S Sean Richardson (special teams).

Three Packers awarded game balls from win in Chicago

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, CB Sam Shields and S Sean Richardson were awarded game balls by the coaching staff for their performances in the 38-17 victory over the Chicago Bears last Sunday.

Rodgers was the offensive game ball recipient for his 302-yard, four-TD performance that featured a 151.2 passer rating. That’s the second-highest rating of Rodgers’ career and the fourth-highest for a single game in franchise history.

Shields got the defensive game ball. He had an interception he returned 62 yards to set up a Packers TD in the second half, and he also broke up two other passes and was credited with three solo tackles.

Richardson received the special teams game ball for his recovery of a Bears onside kick attempt late in the second quarter.

Sitton, Daniels and Richardson are Sunday’s captains vs. Lions

As per team tradition, the Packers select game captains each week.  Today’s captains will be G Josh Sitton (offense), DT Mike Daniels (defense) and S Sean Richardson (special teams).

Barclay, Hawk and Richardson are captains vs. Cowboys

As per team tradition, the Packers select game captains each week. Today’s captains will be T/G Don Barclay (offense), LB A.J. Hawk (defense) and S Sean Richardson (special teams).

Sean Richardson ready for larger role if called upon

Packers S Sean Richardson is just happy to be wearing a uniform after all he’s been through in the past year to come back from neck surgery.

S Sean Richardson

But he may be more than just a contributor down the stretch this season. He could be moving into the No. 2 safety spot.

Richardson took the bulk of the snaps in last Sunday’s game alongside Morgan Burnett after M.D. Jennings missed an open-field tackle on Atlanta WR Drew Davis’ 36-yard TD catch.

Asked on Wednesday if he expects to start on Sunday in Dallas, Richardson said he didn’t know.

“It’s up to the coaches,” he said. “I’m just taking it every day, preparing myself, just like I always do. If my name is called, I’ll be ready.”

Calling it “a long journey” to come back from his neck fusion surgery, Richardson — who missed all of the offseason and training camp and began the regular season on the PUP list — said even with limited on-field time in his second season, he still feels like a much better player than he did last year as an undrafted rookie.

“I know the defense a lot better, and I know the offensive tendencies,” he said. “I learned how to study film a little more, and I’m still learning, but (the game is) a lot slower as opposed to last year.”

Now, should he indeed seize a larger role on defense the rest of the way, Richardson has to take advantage of it. His window of opportunity to play this season seemed small given the type of injury he was recovering from, but now here he is. He’ll be one of the more intriguing players to watch as the season winds down.

“I always kept high hopes, prayed about it, kept faith, had a lot of support,” he said. “I didn’t have any doubts. I felt good, my neck felt great, I was confident in it. The doctors and coaches liked the results, so I was just waiting for the green light.”

Four players earn game balls for win vs. Atlanta

The Packers coaching staff has awarded game balls to four players for their performances in the 22-21 victory over Atlanta on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

TE Andrew Quarless was honored on offense as he posted career highs with six receptions for 66 yards. Quarless also caught a 2-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter — his first touchdown since his rookie season of 2010 — that provided the winning points.

On defense, DE Johnny Jolly and CB Jarrett Bush were the recipients. Jolly was credited with a handful of tackles, including one for loss, plus a fumble recovery and a batted pass. Bush, who played the dime defensive back spot, made two huge plays down the stretch. He broke up a fourth-down pass to TE Tony Gonzalez with the Falcons on the edge of field-goal range with just under two minutes left, and then he intercepted QB Matt Ryan with four seconds left to seal the win.

S Sean Richardson received the game ball on special teams. Richardson, who got his most extensive action of the season on defense, taking over at safety for M.D. Jennings, was credited with one coverage tackle, and he was part of a solid day for the return units, as CB Micah Hyde averaged 25.3 yards on three kickoff returns and added a 12-yard punt return.

Jerel Worthy, Sean Richardson return to practice

Packers DE Jerel Worthy and S Sean Richardson, who have been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since the start of training camp, practiced for the first time this season on Wednesday.

DE Jerel Worthy

For both players, returning to practice starts a three-week window during which they can practice without counting against the 53-man roster. After three weeks, they will have to be put on the active roster, declared out for the season or released.

“They’re excited,” said Mike McCarthy, acknowledging both players felt ready to return sooner. “We just have to go through these couple weeks and make sure they’re right. This is clearly a medical hurdle both these guys can get over, and they were good young players the last time they were on the field for us. I’m hopeful we can get through this process.”

Worthy, a second-round draft pick in 2012, injured his knee in Week 17 at Minnesota last season. McCarthy joked that he knew Worthy, who was practicing on the scout team, was back because he jumped offside a couple of times. Worthy always tries to get a jump on the snap count and was too early several times as a rookie.

“I had one (offside),” Worthy laughed, “but I’m just trying to get back in the rhythm of my game. My knee felt strong and my get-off and everything was there. I just have to get my footwork down. As far as moving around and running, I felt better than I did last year.”

Richardson, an undrafted rookie last year, injured his neck in Week 12 last season in the road game against the Giants and needed spinal fusion surgery to repair it. There was concern he might not get medical clearance to play again, but he’s grateful for whatever opportunity he may have to help the Packers by season’s end.

“It’s been a long journey,” Richardson said. “If I get the green light, I’ll be ready. I definitely will.”

Positive reports on Sherrod, Richardson

Head Coach Mike McCarthy gave positive updates on T Derek Sherrod and S Sean Richardson on Thursday.

Both players are on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Sherrod began practicing last week and can practice through next week before the Packers have to make a roster decision on him. McCarthy made it sound as though there’s a good chance Sherrod could be put on the active roster.

“I think it’s promising,” McCarthy said. “It’s definitely much better than it was when the season started. I think he clearly has moved past just the mobility part of it where you originally had some concerns. He needs the padded work, the time you usually get in training camp. He’s doing some extra drill work and things like that, and we’ll try to get him acclimated as best as possible.”

Richardson, who is trying to come back from neck fusion surgery, hasn’t started practicing yet but the latest medical update was encouraging.

“We got great news on him this week,” McCarthy said. “I’m happy for Sean after what he’s been through. He looks great, so we’ll see what happens.”

McCarthy also said that TE Jermichael Finley was going to be released from the hospital on Thursday.

For more team coverage from Thursday, click here.

No timetables for return of Worthy, Richardson

Two of last year’s rookies who ended the season on injured reserve, DE Jerel Worthy and S Sean Richardson, both plan to be back in 2013 but there is no timetable on either player.

Worthy (pictured) is likely to be out the longest, having injured his knee in the final regular-season game at Minnesota last season. Though it’s possible Worthy could miss his entire second season if his recovery takes a full 12 months, he vowed to be back sometime in 2013.

“I haven’t had any setbacks to this point,” said Worthy, a second-round draft pick who had 2 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble last season. “It’s all been positive coming from this corner, so I just want to stay on this path.”

Richardson, meanwhile, is aiming to be back for training camp in late July but wasn’t making any promises. He is coming back from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck.

After making the roster as an undrafted rookie last year, Richardson first missed time with a hamstring injury, then played in five games (mostly on special teams) before beginning to have back problems. That led to the discovery of the neck issue, which required surgery. It was performed by the same doctor who fixed Denver QB Peyton Manning’s neck, he said.

“It doesn’t give me any problems,” he said. “I actually forget I had the surgery unless somebody asks, ‘Hey, how’s your neck?'”

The surgery wasn’t as complicated as initially thought, Richardson added, so his recovery has been fairly smooth. Without getting into specifics, he said the medical staff has given him five hurdles he must clear to get back on the field, and he’s currently working on step four.

He hopes to clear the final two hurdles in time for training camp, so he can begin competing with Jerron McMillian and M.D. Jennings for the starting safety spot opposite Morgan Burnett.

“I’ll be back soon. I’m pretty close,” he said. “It’s been a long journey.”