Packers bad news update: Kampman joins Harris out for season

We initially heard reports after yesterday's game versus the 49ers that CB Al Harris would be lost for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. But Coach Mike McCarthy had indicated to reporters that he believed LB Aaron Kampman would be lost for at least 2 to 4 weeks with an as-then unspecified knee injury.

Turns out the "at least" part of that statement was more true than the 2 to 4 weeks part.

Word came later in the evening that Kampman would also be lost for the rest of the season with exactly the same injury as Harris, a torn ACL in the left knee.

Losing one of these defensive leaders would be bad. Losing both in the same game for the remainder of the year now deals a serious blow to the Packers playoff potential.

Rookie LB Brad Jones will now have to play each of the remaining games as well as he played against Dallas last week. And while it was initially thought that Brandon Underwood might be called upon to take over Harris' spot, reports out of Green Bay are that they will move nickel back Tramon Williams into that role, with Jarrett Bush (uh-oh) moving from the dime back to the nickel back slot and Underwood (uh-oh) going into the dime back slot. Last season, Williams did a good job filling in for Harris after the latter was lost with a lacerated spleen injury. He's not the physical shut-down type cornerback that Harris is, but he does have speed and has played enough to not make foolish mistakes.

Aside from the physical presence and ability both Harris and Kampman brought to the squad, what will also be missed will be their on and off-field leadership.

This situation will give some insight into the depth of the team. Certainly it will require defensive coordinator Dom Capers to adjust his defensive scheme. Just when it finally looked as if the 3-4 defense was starting to click, poof!

Can the replacements do the job they need to do and in the process help the Packers stay in the wildcard hunt? Stay tuned. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, you can read more about the current situation here.