Friday, October 15, 2010

For the Packers, the bad news just keeps coming: Barnett on IR

The Green Bay Packers wound up doing today what has been anticipated for at least the last week: they placed starting LB Nick Barnett on injured reserve following his wrist surgery Wednesday. This is the second time in three years that Barnett's season has been cut short with injury. Understandably, Barnett tweeted this morning, and I quote, ":-( f#%^*". And he added, ":-( f......k".

Guess that not only sums up Barnett's frame of mind today but that of many if not most Packer fans regarding not only the loss of Barnett but the entire injury situation with the Pack. Lost for the season, of course, are RB Ryan Grant, S Morgan Burnett, S Derrick Martin, and DE Justin Harrell. The jury is still out on TE Jermichael Finley, but given that he will be out perhaps 8 weeks at least, the Packers might just decide to shut him down for the season, as well, to open up a roster spot in a roster that has quickly been depleted only about a third of the way into the NFL season.

Here's a quick look -- unofficial -- at the Pack's injury status:

PLAYER
INJURY
STATUS
LB Nick Barnett Wrist Out for Season
RB Ryan Grant Ankle Out for Season
DE Justin Harrell Knee Out for Season
S Derrick Martin Knee Out for Season
S Morgan Burnett Knee Out for Season
S Atari Bigby Knee PUP List - eligible after Game 6
CB Al Harris Knee PUP List - eligible after Game 6
TE Jermichael Finley Knee Likely Out for Season
RT Mark Tauscher Shoulder Likely out for Sunday, Week to Week
LB Brandon Chillar Shoulder Has missed 2 games, may play Sunday
CB Sam Shields Calf Has missed 2 games, may play Sunday
TE Donald Lee Chest Sprain Likely out for 1-2 games
LB Clay Matthews Hamstring Likely to miss Sunday's game
DL Ryan Pickett Ankle Questionable for Sunday
QB Aaron Rodgers Concussion Probable for Sunday pending tests
WR Donald Driver Quad Probable
LT Chad Clifton Knee Probable
S Nick Collins Knee Probable
DL Cullen Jenkins Hamstring/Hand Probable
FB Quinn Johnson Glute Probable
DE Mike Neal Shoulder Questionable
CB Charles Woodson Toe Probable

Obviously, the plethora (look it up!) of injuries which have hit the Packers will not only impact this Sunday's game against the Fish, but the remainder of the season. Whether or not the young and untested players can rise to the occasion will determine to a great extent whether or not the Pack will make the playoffs. Two-thirds of the season remains. But the bye week is still a month off. The coaching staff will have to be very wise as to who, how and when they utilize the members of the roster. Special teams coach Shawn Slocum is having to scramble to fill spots on his squads because a number of those regulars are now being called upon to fill more pressing spots on offense and defense. So a weak spot on the team has become even weaker. Oh boy...

All together now...Let us pray...

Packers re-sign DE Mike Montgomery
To fill Barnett's roster spot, the Packers wasted little time re-signing DE Mike Montgomery who was a sixth round draft choice by the Pack in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played in 56 games with eight starts during his five seasons with the team. He had signed with the ViQueens in March but was released on their final roster cutdown. He'll be wearing number 99. With rookie DE Mike Neal possibly out Sunday, and Ryan Pickett having a sore ankle, being able to plug Montgomery in immediately with a system he knows is a good re-signing by GM Ted Thompson.