Eight Packers to sit out preseason opener Thursday

Talk about it

GREEN BAY - At least eight players will sit out Thursday night’s exhibition opener for the Green Bay Packers.

Receiver Greg Jennings is still feeling the effects of a concussion suffered at last Friday’s Family Night scrimmage. Tight end Ryan Taylor also has a concussion. Running back Du’ane Bennett and tight end Eric Lair will miss the contest at San Diego with knee injuries. Also out are receiver Tori Gurley with a groin pull, fullback Jon Hoese with a bad hamstring, guard Ray Dominguez with an ankle injury, and offensive tackle Mike McCabe with an injured hip.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy ran a shorter practice last night due to all the injured players – and two more got hurt. Corner Sam Shields left practice early after injuring an elbow. And running back Brandon Saine left after pulling a hamstring.

______________________________________________________________

He doesn’t know for sure yet, but Packers’ defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove might get a reduced suspension. Hargrove was banished for eight games for his role in the bounty scandal when he was with New Orleans. But on Sunday, ESPN said Saints’ linebacker Jonathan Vilma was offered a reduction of eight games in his 16-game suspension, in returning for dropping lawsuits against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. The league called the report inaccurate. But if Vilma’s suspension is reduced, Hargrove’s eight-game penalty could be reduced as well. Hargrove’s agent notified his client early yesterday about the latest development. But Hargrove says he prefers to call it “semantics” at this point. And he’s not sure about anything. The suspensions start at the regular season.

Tags: wisconsin sports, proam, packers, football