Al Harris Still Pushing Through, But Packers Aren’t Certain What To Expect

We’ve talked about cornerback Al Harris’ rehab on several occasions, mostly through the help of the video series produced by the National Football Post.

While Harris continues to push through what must be a draining process, which you’ll see in the video below, the Green Bay Packers don’t seem to have full confidence Harris will be ready for the start of the season.

Harris initially said he’d recover in six months, but Packers’ coach Mike McCarthy thinks Harris’ rehabilitation will be similar to right tackle Mark Tauscher, who tore an ACL during the 2008 season. Tauscher didn’t return to the team until the following October.

McCarthy called it a “real serious injury” and indicated that team doctor Patrick McKenzie performed two separate procedures on him to regain full range of motion.

“We’ll just continue to watch that and see how he responds,” McCarthy said, adding that it’s “probably fair” to compare Harris’ timetable to the one right tackle Mark Tauscher followed last year.

That’s bad news for the Packers if it’s true and may affect how the team drafts this year. By most accounts, the Packers need a cornerback regardless of whether Harris returns to full strength – beyond Harris, Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams the team doesn’t have anyone with proven starting potential. On top of that, Harris is 35 and Woodson is 33.

Does that mean the Packers will choose a cornerback high in the draft? It’s a good possibility.

That being said, I wouldn’t count Al Harris out just yet.

Here’s part six and seven of the Al Harris video series.
Here’s part five of the Al Harris video series.
Here’s part four of the Al Harris video series.
Here’s part three of the Al Harris video series.
Here’s part two of the Al Harris video series.
Here’s part one of the Al Harris video series.

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