Deja Vu Every Year

There are some certainties in the world you can depend upon. Death (I'll vouch for that one), Taxes (I'll vouch for that one, too) and Packer injuries (Hell, I will write about that one). Heading into Sunday's Hall of Game against the Colts the best laid plans of mice and Mike McCarthy have been derailed by flurry of second week injuries.

 

The first thing that came out of the Bill Belichick Injury Report this week was the declaration by the Trust in Ted press corps that "There’s no sign that the latest training-camp injuries are serious." Now how in the HELL can they say that with any certainty?

 

Taking the word of a NFL official is a fool's errand. In a Belichick world the first thing you do is lie about anything, small or large. John Fox lied about injuries last week and it could seem that the Packers front office likes that strategy when it comes to the press.

 

Brett Hundley Was Looking Forward to Be the Starter Against the Colts

Now back to some certainty or at least I think what was reported is certain.

Backup quarterback Brett Hundley suffered an ankle injury in Monday's practice and is out for Sunday's game.

 

Joe Callahan the Man of the Hour

That leaves Joe Callahan and Marquis Anderson handling the duties behind center because Aaron Rodgers will also sit it out.

 

Losing Weight Didn't Help Eddie Lacy's Ankle

Wednesday's practice saw Eddie Lacy drop out and, of course, no word on why. Good news was James Starks returned to duty Wednesday after sitting out Monday'spractice for some reason.

 

However, RT Bryan Bulaga (resting his knee), ILB Jake Ryan (hamstring-what's with linebackers and hamstrings on the Packers), RT Kyle Murphy (concussion), TE Mitchell Henry (groin), T Josh James (hamstring) and CB Makinton Dorleant (hamstring) are sitting out practice this week.

 

You would think with all the hamstring injuries the Packers have had since Clay Matthews arrived the Packers training staff would have figured out how to prevent them. I guess not.

 

Don't forget there are five players on the physically unable to perform list: WR Jordy Nelson (knee), Ty Montgomery (ankle), TE Jared Cook (foot), C Corey Linsley (another hamstring) and LB Sam Barrington (foot) to raise the number to 12. As much as things change some things remain the same.

 

In addition DT Mike Daniels was excused from practice for personal reasons. Again no specificity.

 

When Eddie Lacy also sat out Thursday's practice it was reported he had an ankle injury. I guess he was limping.

 

Back to the future. The game against the Colts will see two different philosophies on the sidelines. McCarthy will hardly play any starters while Chuck Pagano will play all his healthy starters.

 

Datone Jones Stretching Out His Linebacker Legs

I guess with the starters sitting out we should keep an eye on Datone Jones and his adjustment to outside linebacker. Linebackers Coach Winston Moss has been impressed with the transition the past two weeks, but what would you expect him to say. We shall see.

 

The other player to watch is Jeff Janis, who is blowing his big chance to gain some trust with McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. The first depth chart had him sitting behind Favorite son Jared Abbrederis. He needs a big game.

 

Kellen Winslow II's Last Time on the Field Was Three Years Ago

Rumor has it with prize free agent catch Jared Cook on the PUP list Ted Thompson is going to kick the tires on Kellen Winslow II Sunday before the game.

 

Winslow II hasn't played since 2013. He began his career missing his first two seasons with the Browns after suffering a broken right leg in his second game and then during the offseason he crashed his motorcycle and tore his right knee.

 

He returned to play two great seasons (89-875-3TD; 82-1,016-5TD) before suffering a staph infection in 2008 that limited him to 10 games (43-428-3TD).

 

He was traded to the Bucs and resurrected his career once again (77-884-5TD; 66-730-5TD; 75-763-2TD).However, for some reason the Bucs traded him to the Seahawks, but they cut him when he wouldn't sign a new reduced contract. He ended up with the Patriots in 2012, but after one game asked to be cut and he was. He wasn't picked up and sat out 2012.

 

The Jets signed him in 2013. He played five games (17-169-2TD), but was suspended for four games for PEDs.

 

With Kellen Winslow Being Considered Justin Perillo Is the Jeff Janis of the Tight Ends

Here's my take on this. If it was just Cook being out and the Packers needed some depth at tight end then why not. It can't hurt, but still three years out of the league. But Justin Perillo has had a good camp and Richie Rodgers has lost weight (seems players get fat living in Green Bay). The Packers also won't re-sign Andrew Quarless, which has to make him feel good that Thompson thinks a washed up Winslow is better than him.

 

Erik Walden

Finally, the Colts have four ex-Packers on their roster. Erik Walden is in a battle to retain his starting position at left outside linebacker. Andrew Luck will play the first two series and then Scott Tolzien will take over. It will be interesting to see how he does. Former backup tackle Jeremy Vujnovich is third string at right guard and CB Tay Glover-Wright is third string at right cornerback.