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Coach Mike McCarthy said he expects former first-round draft pick Derek Sherrod to play this season.

Sherrod has been out since December of 2011 after breaking both bones in his lower leg in a game his rookie season at Kansas City. The third-year tackle is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list next week, and then the Packers will have an eight-week window thereafter to activate him, put him on injured reserve or release him.


But McCarthy said it became clear early this season that Sherrod will be on their 53-man roster this year.


“I’d say probably Week 1 or 2,” McCarthy said. “I really felt at the end of training camp his workouts went to a different level. He’s in excellent shape, he’s obviously a lot stronger than he was this time last year.


“As I’ve stated and it’s obvious, that was a very, very serious injury. He needed the extra time. He looks good, he’s champing at the bit. But let’s be honest, the biggest hurdle he’ll have to get over next is pads. He needs to get in pads and he needs to get in there. Once he gets over that hurdle I think he’ll be ready to go.”


Sherrod had emergency surgery on his leg the day he sustained the injury in ’December 11, then missed all of last season. He’s been on PUP since the start of training camp.


Sherrod can begin practicing any time in the next five weeks, and once he starts practice he has three weeks until the Packers have to take him off PUP.

Green Bay — Green Bay Packers defensive end C.J. Wilson only sweats his predicament Sunday mornings when he heads into the locker room.

It is then that he finds out whether there is a note in his locker telling him he will not be part of the team's 46-man active roster.

"Two hours before the game, that's when I know," Wilson said. "I don't know until I get over here. It's tough, real tough."

Wilson has been inactive two of four games this season despite being a capable player with 14 starts in his career, including the postseason. The Packers have a lot of depth on the defensive line and when they play a passing team, Wilson is the odd man out because his strength is playing the run.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers plays a lot of nickel (two defensive linemen), and he prefers Mike Daniels and first-round pick Datone Jones over Wilson because of their pass-rush potential. The more passing teams the Packers face, the less Wilson seems likely to play.

"It's tough when you've been playing football since you were 9 years old," Wilson said. "This is the least amount I've played. It's mentally tough. We have a lot of guys and if my role is being inactive for whatever reason, there isn't anything I can do but play my role.

"I'm not the decision-maker. We're doing pretty good stat-wise, so I can't complain. All I know is when my number is called I'll be ready."

The situation might get more difficult for Wilson.

Next week, second-year end Jerel Worthy will be eligible to begin practicing following surgery to repair a torn ACL last season.

"I'm ready," Worthy said, who is on the physically unable to perform list. "When they let me go, I'll be like a kid in a candy store. I've gotten myself in a position to play. When I get out there, I'll be the most excited guy around. I've been counting down the days."

It will take Worthy several weeks to get into football shape, but the Packers are counting on the 2012 second-round pick to be a factor the second half of the year. Worthy was drafted because of his pass-rush potential and spent his rookie year trying to adjust to a 3-4 defense.

He played a lot of snaps but wasn't productive, so he has a lot of catching up to do.

If Worthy show's he's ready to play, someone will have to go to make room for him.

"I feel like I have a bright future, whether it's in Green Bay or somewhere else," Wilson said. "I actually feel this was my best year in camp. The chips fell where they fell."

Injury report: The Packers ruled out linebacker Brad Jones this week because of a hamstring injury he suffered against the Lions.

According to coach Mike McCarthy, Jones' right hamstring pull was not to the same leg he suffered a hamstring pull to during training camp.

"Brad, I have no reason to believe it's going to be very long based on the discussions yesterday with our medical staff," McCarthy said. "He will not be available this week and hopefully we feel better about it next week."

With Jones out, Jamari Lattimore is expected to start and rookie Sam Barrington will back up both Lattimore and A.J. Hawk.

Also, ruled out were cornerback Casey Hayward (hamstring), running back James Starks (knee) and offensive lineman Greg Van Roten (foot).

Hayward's status was a bit of a surprise because he did some work in pads last week and was on schedule to return this week. But the injury did not respond the way he hoped and he will not play this week.

"He's getting better," McCarthy said. "A little sore after what he went through last week. We'll see where he is tomorrow. This time last week, he was able to do some individual work on Thursday. So that's the hope."

In addition, cornerback Jarrett Bush (hamstring) and linebacker Andy Mulumba (ankle) did not practice. Their status for this week is up in the air.

Still waiting: Also looking forward to next week are safety Sean Richardson and tackle Derek Sherrod, both of whom are on the physically unable to perform list.

Both will be eligible to practice next week.

Under league rules, the players have a five-week window in which to begin practicing. Once they start practicing, a three-week practice window begins. By the end of five weeks or the three-week window, whichever comes first, the Packers must decide whether to activate, cut or place the player on injured reserve.

Richardson, who had neck surgery, said he feels strong and ready to play, but the Packers have to decide whether to clear him. If they don't feel comfortable putting him on the field, they'll release him.

"I don't know anything yet," Richardson said.