Packers notes: Harrell back on injured list
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.comGREEN BAY — The disappointments just keep on comin' from 2007 first-round draft pick Justin Harrell.
The Green Bay Packers' second-year defensive tackle did not practice Wednesday because of a hip injury that has been "bothersome" for "the last couple weeks," according to coach Mike McCarthy, and Harrell may not play Sunday at Jacksonville. Team doctor Pat McKenzie told McCarthy to rest Harrell in practice again today, then test him on Friday before deciding whether he should return to action.
Since being activated from the physically unable to perform list, where he spent the first two months of the season because of offseason back surgery, Harrell has seven tackles in six games. He played nine games (including playoffs) as a rookie last season because of an ankle injury and an arm injury from college and finished with 31 tackls. He has yet to record a sack in the NFL.
Asked if Harrell has had the impact he'd hoped since coming off PUP, McCarthy replied, "He's never really been able to get healthy. His snaps have been limited, and I thought there was some progress in the pass rush part of it, and a little progress in the run (defense). Once again, he's a young player that's kind of going through a medical stage right now. We just have to keep working with him to get through it.
"Injuries are part of our game. They're frustrating for everybody involved. More importantly, I know they're frustrating for the player. I've seen individuals go through this at different points in their career, and I think Justin is going through a rough patch with injuries."
