We Have Finally Escaped!
Everybody, knock on wood as many times as you can, because this is the luckiest the Packers' have ever been regarding the injury bug in the preseason in recent memory. With the only guys (that matter) that suffered injuries at this point being C Corey Linsley who is on the cover photo (who technically didn't get hurt, as he is still on the PUP list from a previous injury), WR Jeff Janis who is out another 2-4 weeks, and QB Brett Hundley who has been on and off with ankle injuries. That's it.
Everybody else, barring something week 4 (knock on wood), should be ready for week 1 in Jacksonville. If I had it my way, I would make sure that happens by taking out every lineman except Tretter, Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, and key defensive guys like Clay Matthews, Mike Daniels, Julius Peppers, Sam Barrington and Sam Shields. And the rest of the starters and roster locks, such as Blake Martinez and Jared Cook, should not be out more than a quarter. The Packers need every starter healthy, and it will help determine if guys like G Don Barclay, WR Geronimo Allison, TE Kennard Backman, OLB Lerentee McCray and S Marwin Evans (who were among my pre-training camp roster cuts) deserve a roster spot by giving them more than enough playing time.
Like I said, knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on wood, and hope that Mike McCarthy doesn't leave anybody out there too long that shouldn't be. He's been doing a great job so far with player health, so there is no reason to doubt him. Rodgers and the first team offense looked good without much playing time, and the team should be more than ready to take on Jacksonville week 1.
