Packers lose exhibition opener to San Diego

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SAN DIEGO - The Green Bay Packers lost their exhibition opener last night, 21-13 at San Diego.

Eighteen Packers did not dress, mostly due to injuries. And starting inside linebacker Desmond Bishop left in the first quarter, after several players landed on his right leg while he finished a tackle. He sprained a knee and may have hurt a hamstring, after starting training camp late due to a previous calf injury. Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble and threw an interception in his only three series of the night. The fumble set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates. It was the only score among the starters. The Chargers made it 14-nothing in the second quarter when Jarrett Lee threw a 27-yard strike to Vincent Brown. The Packers got to within one on a three-yard touchdown pass from Graham Harrell to Randall Cobb, and a one-yard run by Marc Tyler. Curtis Brinkley’s one-yard run in the final two minutes gave San Diego its eight-point victory margin.

Harrell took most of the snaps at quarterback for the Packers, completing 15-of-27 for 135 yards. Tyler was the Pack’s leading rusher with 32 yards. Cobb had four catches for 58 yards, but he fumbled away a kickoff return. The Chargers lost starting running back Ryan Matthews when he broke a collarbone on his first carry. He’ll be out 4-to-6 weeks. Four other Packers left with injuries – receivers Diondre Borel and Shaky Smithson, corner Davon House, and safety Anthony Levine.

Perhaps the most notable part of the night was the performance of Shannon Eastin, the first female to officiate an N-F-L game. She was a line judge, as replacements fill in for the regular officials who remain locked out. A couple of Chargers players shook her hand, and coach Norv Turner took a photo with her before the game. But once it started, it was like she wasn’t even there – a true compliment to an official. She worked the Packers’ sideline in the second half, and coach Mike McCarthy said she communicated well. Her cap was sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame afterward. Green Bay’s next exhibition will be its home opener next Thursday night against Cleveland.

Tags: wisconsin sports, football, proam, packers