The Green Bay Packers will be without linebacker Brandon Chillar, who has an injured shoulder, against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, while cornerback Sam Shields is doubtful with a calf injury and not expected to play.
You know what that means!
Actually, in one case you do — A.J. Hawk will take the bulk of the snaps and probably play some nickel in place of Chillar, so we can watch him get burned in pass coverage. Desmond Bishop is also likely to see time in place of Chillar.
In a surprise move, Brandon Underwood and not Jarrett Bush, who had been playing behind Shields, will man the nickel cornerback spot. Underwood was the nickel back before he was injured in the third preseason game. This is his first game back from a fairly severe shoulder injury.
I say the move is surprising simply because I haven’t been able to rant about how terrible Bush is yet this season, which is both a first and a reflection of the fact Bush hasn’t played down to his usual standards.
Underwood has a bigger upside than Bush, however, and needs to get back in the swing of things, so the move makes sense.
On another positive note, defensive end Mike Neal looks like he will finally make his Packers debut, as well. Neal, who will add some much-needed depth to the Packers defensive line, has been dealing with a rib/abdominal issue, but made it through all of the team’s practices this week. Officially, he is listed as questionable.
Safety Charlie Peprah and linebacker Brady Poppinga are also questionable.
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