Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris admitted he probably won’t be ready for action when training camp opens, on Monday, but said he plans on being the team’s opening day starter.
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Harris said after the team’s first mandatory minicamp practice, which Harris spent inside the Don Hutson Center working out with the training staff. “There is no doubt in my mind. At all. That was my goal from Day One, and that’s still my goal today.”
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this offseason he expected Harris’ recovery time from the severe knee injury he suffered in November to be similar to that of tackle Mark Tauscher.
Tauscher didn’t return to the Packers lineup last season until week nine. While McCarthy didn’t go that far with his assessment of Harris’ recovery, he did echo the sentiment Harris won’t be ready when camp opens.
“The only (person) that we’re concerned about would be Al Harris,” McCarthy said, referencing a conversation with team physician Pat McKenzie. “I think Al is going to be definitely challenged to make it at the beginning of training camp. I’m sure Al may tell you something differently, but that’s kind of my assessment of the information I’ve been given”
There isn’t a target date for Harris to start practicing and he doesn’t yet have the full range of motion back in his knee.
The good news for the Packers is Harris looks like the only player who won’t be ready for the start of training camp, which opens July 31.
Update: In her look at Tramon Williams, Lori Nickel says it’s unlikely Harris will play again. That may be the case, as Harris’ injury was severe, but if there’s anyone who can come back, it’s Al Harris.
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When players with this severe of an injury start to put undo pressure on themselves to return faster than others can’t all be good.
I would venture to guess that Harris is suffering from a “IN MY HEART” feeling of security but the more presiding “IN MY GUT” feeling of “I LOST MY JOB” is more accurate.
I made an comment on another article concerning CB’s and the new ERA and said that “REVIS has raised the bar for the age of WR’s to play,but it also has lowered the age CB’s can play till.
I firmly believe the ERA of CB’s and WR’s playing with any kind of real contribution in the 32-37 yrs of age is numbered.I wouldn’t be amazed to the least degree of the release of Harris by early OCT.