Odds and ends

I'm about to head home for a real, full, two-day weekend -- the one bonus of these Thursday games -- but I wanted to unload a few other things before I jet.

First, keep the comments coming. For those who missed it, you no longer have to log in to post here. Yeah, I know that opens the door if some loser wants to sit in his mom's basement writing asinine stuff just to rile people up, but I also think this can be a great tool for you guys to communicate more directly with me, Pete, Rob and Mike.

Second, here are a few other comments about Thursday's game that I couldn't fit into the 50+ inches of copy I filed today. I'll try to do this more often on days I'm writing for the print edition:

* Mike McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen know guard Daryn Colledge could be a punching bag and/or punchline for fans after getting yanked from Thursday's loss. Thus, both guys went out of their way to praise his character and work ethic today. When I asked Campen about what Colledge needed to do to stop Stephen Bowen from getting that pick-inducing hit on Brett Favre, he said: "Slide your feet. It has zero to do with that kid’s effort, his energy, his attitude. He works extremely hard, and his character — he’s a super kid — and if he had to go back in the game, he would have performed at the highest level he could and busted his tail." No argument here, but that wasn't Colledge's only mistake. He's a young player and will get more chances. I'm just not sure one of them will be next Sunday against Oakland.

* Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, on Aaron Rodgers: "We’re really optimistic about what he did. He took command out there."

* Defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn, on Aaron Kampman: "When he got pressure, we didn’t get pressure anywhere else. I thought Aaron had an outstanding game. We just didn’t get the job done elsewhere. No excuses. We’ve got to do better."

* Cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington, on why Frank Walker played nickel all night: "Anytime you get three young guys that I think (are) evenly matched as far as talent goes, you just go with your gut instincts as a coach. Frank practiced well this past week, and Frank, I thought he did a pretty good job inside."

* Nunn, on Justin Harrell: "Fired up about him. He only had two technique minuses, and other than that, the guy was playing fast. They got him one time — he was a little slow, but that’s a rookie mistake, and you’ve got to show up every play, every snap in this league. I’m very encouraged."

That's it for tonight. Have a good weekend, kids.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Colledge to stay on bench?

Junius Coston and Jason Spitz would start at guard if the Packers played today, coach Mike McCarthy said, but Daryn Colledge has at least some chance to regain his starting spot.

McCarthy went out of his way to praise Colledge at length a day after the second-year pro was pulled from the Packers' 37-27 loss at Dallas. But McCarthy indicated Spitz and Coston, who finished Thursday's game, are atop the depth chart for the time being.

"Daryn and Jason and Junius are really all about pretty equal in their productivity, in their performance," McCarthy said. "We're just trying to ... find the right combination, and we're keeping it as competitive as possible."

It's a similar situation at cornerback, where on Thursday, Tramon Williams replaced Jarrett Bush, who struggled as a fill-starter in place of injured veteran Charles Woodson. McCarthy said Williams was "pretty solid" but indicated he, Williams and Will Blackmon, who returned to action Thursday after missing nearly two months with a foot injury, would continue to compete for time.

"Those guys do everything together, and they're all about at the same point their careers, as far as the level of play," McCarthy said.

Also from McCarthy ...
* QB Brett Favre suffered the only injury of note in Thursday's game. DT Johnny Jolly (shoulder) and TE Bubba Franks (knee) are the only players who probably won't be ready for the Packers' next game, Dec. 9 against Oakland.
* CB Al Harris and the secondary had its worst performance of the season, making fundamental errors and spending too much time peaking into the Dallas backfield. Harris erred in not getting as deep as he needed to on the crucial third-and-19 conversion from deep in Cowboys territory late in the third quarter.
* Donald Driver was the first read on the third-and-1 incompletion Favre threw on the game's first drive Thursday, forcing the Packers to settle for a field goal. The Packers got the defense they expected, but "the execution was not there."
* The officiating crew did a good job communicating on the challenged Terrell Owens/Harris play in the first quarter, but the initial call "should have gone our way."
* Coaches will do some self scouting during the long week.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Favre expected to play next week

Quarterback Brett Favre bruised muscle in his right elbow -- a less serious injury than he suffered last November, when he had a nerve injury -- and is expected to play Dec. 9 against Oakland, coach Mike McCarthy said this afternoon.

Favre also aggravated an old separation on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but that injury isn't a concern, according to McCarthy. The 17th-year veteran was in for treatment this morning and has begun to regain feeling in the hand.

"To quote the medical staff, the (starting) streak is not in danger," McCarthy said.

McCarthy said coaches would meet Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss Favre's availability and wouldn't rule out signing a third quarterback.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

That'll do it

The Cowboys once again did pretty much whatever it needed to, driving 56 yards in nine plays to set up a Nick Folk field goal that made it 37-27 with 1:03 to play. It will take a miracle for the Packers to come back now.

So, this is where I'll leave you. I'll be back to answer your questions in the postgame chat beginning sometime between 12:30 and 1 a.m. Submit them here. I'll also post injury updates and whatnot there.

The blog returns late Friday afternoon, after Mike McCarthy's day-after press conference.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Packers pull within seven

Even though Mason Crosby drilled a 52-yard field goal to pull the Packers within a touchdown, it's worth questioning not going for it on fourth-and-2 inches in this situation.

If the Packers go for it and come up short, the game basically is over. But that was by no means an easy field-goal attempt, and if Crosby had missed, it's over, too.

Why I question the decision is because it's not fourth-and-1 -- it's fourth and less than a foot. That has to be one you feel like you can make, inconsistent running game and all.

You're already inside the 35 ... you need a touchdown at some point ... it's dicey, and it's one that will be for debate if the Packers get the ball back and stall short of a touchdown on their last possession.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Cowboys go ahead 34-24

A late pass interference call against Tramon Williams was the most important play as the Cowboys drove 75 yards in seven plays on their way to a 4-yard Patrick Crayton touchdown catch. That extended Dallas' lead to 34-24 with 7:51 to play in regulation.

The flag against Williams came really late, but it was correct. Williams actually had good position but, like many young players, didn't trust his position and decided to grab Miles Austin instead. Though Austin probably couldn't have caught the ball -- and Williams did little to slow the receiver -- the interference came early enough the officials weren't going to declare the pass uncatchable. It's borderline, but it's going to be called nine times out of 10.

So, Aaron Rodgers and company now face a 10-point deficit with half a quarter to go. It might be too much to ask, but just about everything Rodgers has done tonight has defied expectations.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Except ...

In what could prove to be the most pivotal sequence in this game, Al Harris saved a touchdown and then was gifted the first Dallas turnover of this game.

Marion Barber would have scored a touchdown when he burst through the line on third-and-1 from the Packers' 22 had Harris not tripped him up at the 5. Then, on second-and-goal, Tony Romo threw slightly behind Terrell Owens, who bobbled the ball high into the air and into the arms of Harris.

Nick Barnett, not Harris, was matched up with Owens on the bizarre, drive-killing play. But unlike Harris' first apparent pick, this one counts, and it tilts all the momentum back to the Packers.

UPDATE: The Packers ensuing drive ended in a punt, but give Jon Ryan credit for lofting a beautiful, 44-yard boot that Patrick Crayton had to fair catch at his own 25.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Missed opportunity for defense

The Packers defense missed a great opportunity to take all the momentum in this game when Patrick Crayton got loose for a 35-yard reception on third-and-19 from the Dallas 11.

Instead, the Cowboys have driven into the red zone and are poised to extend their three-point lead -- if they can get a play off on time. I can't remember seeing this many delay-of-game and false-start calls against an NFL team on its home field.

Meanwhile, Tramon Williams has gone from No. 5 cornerback entering last week -- and No. 4 starting tonight's game, with Charles Woodson out -- to No. 2 opposite Al Harris.

Jarrett Bush, who by and large has been good as the No. 3 corner but clearly was overmatched as a starter tonight, now is on the bench, as Frank Walker remains the nickel guy. As I mentioned in one of my first posts tonight, Williams has tremendous skills playing the ball, and he'll have a chance to showcase them the rest of this game.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Packers continue comeback, pull within three

Aaron Rodgers.

Repeat: Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers' backup quarterback has completed 10 straight passes since his 1-for-4 start and now has led two consecutive touchdown drives, the latest ending in a 1-yard Ryan Grant touchdown run that pulled the Packers within 27-24 with 5:15 to go in the third quarter.

This has been quite the performance from Rodgers, who is showing off his mobility as well as his game-management skills in turning a blowout-in-the-making into a three-point game.

It's one thing to do this in the preseason. It's another thing to do it against a 10-1 Dallas team that had completely frustrated Brett Favre the first quarter-and-a-half. Can he keep it up?

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Favre returns to field

Quarterback Brett Favre is back on the field after staying in the locker room after halftime to get X-rays. However, it's unclear whether he'll play in the second half.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Jennings shows up, scores

Say this much for Aaron Rodgers: He got Greg Jennings involved.

The Packers' most explosive offensive player hadn't touched the ball before Rodgers hit him on two consecutive plays. Jennings caught the first on a quick out, then slipped Nathan Jones and ran for a 43-yard gain. Rodgers went back to him on first down for a 9-yard pickup.

Now, Rodgers has to find a way to get Donald Driver involved. The Pro Bowler still doesn't have a catch.

UPDATE: Make that three times. Rodgers hit Jennings on a curl, and Jennings shimmied into the end zone for an 11-yard score, pulling within 27-17 with 31 seconds to go before halftime. Rodgers was 4-for-4 on the drive -- his other completion to Driver. The Cowboys kneeled down to run out the clock.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Favre leaves with injury; Rodgers takes over at QB

The aforementioned hit from Nathan Jones left Brett Favre with an apparent right arm injury, so backup Aaron Rodgers is in the game for the most meaningful action of his three-year career.

Favre left the field after the hit holding his right wrist. His return is questionable.

UPDATE: Rodgers was 1-for-4 on his first drive, his best play an 8-yard scramble that converted on third-and-7.

Also, left guard Daryn Colledge apparently has been benched. Junius Coston has taken over at right guard, and Jason Spitz has moved to Colledge's spot. Colledge was responsible for the hit that led to Favre's first interception.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Pressure cooker

Brett Favre still has been sacked only once in 15-plus quarters, but the Packers have had no answer for the pressure Dallas has brought constantly tonight.

He's now been pressured on five of his past eight passes and has been hit on both his interceptions -- the last a diving pick by Terrence Newman. Nathan Jones came untouched on a corner blitz off the offensive right edge and hit Favre as he threw.

Meanwhile, the Packers still are refusing to bring more than a four-man rush. On first down, Tony Romo had all day off play-action to throw deep for Patrick Crayton, who was dragged down by Jarrett Bush, resulting in a pass interference call. He also was unpressured on his next two pass attempts, including the 10-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens that made it 27-10 with 9:53 to play in the second quarter. Owens went in motion and rubbed off Al Harris with the tight end, and safety Nick Collins couldn't get in to position to help.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

30 points in less than 17 minutes

This game is living up to its billing as a shootout -- and it's the Packers, not the Cowboys, who are having their secondary exposed.

Tony Romo hit tight end Anthony Fasano for a 26-yard touchdown, capping a lightning-fast three-play, 76-yard scoring drive that made it 20-10 with 13:20 to play in the first half.

It was the second time on the drive the Packers ended up with a bad matchup down the field. First, it was Terrell Owens going unchecked off the line and outrunning A.J. Hawk for a 48-yard gain on first down. Then, it was Fasano (6-foot-4) getting behind Jarrett Bush (6-foot, maybe) along the right sideline for the score.

Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders doesn't bring much pressure in his match defense, but he might have to start. Romo has all day in the pocket and is 7-for-10 for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Grant's touchdown makes it 13-10

Ryan Grant didn't have much of a hole to work with, but he got two great blocks on the way to his 62-yard touchdown, which cut the Packers' deficit to 13-10 late in the first quarter.

Kuhn made a great read and sealed off Akin Ayodele, one of the two inside linebackers in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme. Meanwhile, center Scott Wells had uprooted Marcus Spears with a little help from right guard Jason Spitz.

The latter is one of the perils of playing an under front in a 3-4 scheme. Rather than lining up over the nose, the middle defensive tackle is slightly offset, which means his leverage is to one side. Kuhn clearly did his homework, as he knew that, once he got to the second level, his block would be on the opposite side -- in this case, the offensive left side. That's where Ayodele was, and that's where he stayed as Grant sprinted for the score.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Favre mistake helps Dallas extend lead

A rare mistake by Brett Favre opened the door for the game's first touchdown.

Dallas got the ball at the Packers' 41 after Favre committed the game's first turnover, and poor coverage on two plays allowed the Cowboys to get in position for Patrick Crayton's 3-yard touchdown catch. Crayton used a stutter step and easily burned cornerback Jarrett Bush to the post.

Here's what happened on the interception. The Packers ran play-action out of a formation with Ryan Grant and Donald Lee in the backfield. Left guard Daryn Colledge got the initial push on his man, Stephen Bowen, but Bowen then beat Colledge one-on-one to the inside and hit Favre as he threw. That forced the woeful underthrow intended for Koren Robinson, who lined up alone on the right side but was double covered all the way down the field. Safety Ken Hamlin was playing deep on the other side of the field and walked into the easy interception.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Cowboys make it 6-3

The Packers are playing a lot of base defense against a Dallas offense that has been relatively balanced.

On the Cowboys' most recent drive -- ending in Nick Folk's second field goal, from 51 yards, which made it 6-3 Cowboys with 3:15 to play in the first quarter -- the Packers utilized their nickel package on only two of seven plays.

How much of that has to do with being thin at corner? Considering the Packers usually play nickel on close to 50 percent of plays, it's worth considering how the absence of Charles Woodson changes things. But Dallas also has shown the ability to move the ball on the ground, with 34 yards on seven carries -- nearly 5 yards per -- and haven't used many extra-wide sets to force the Packers' hand.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Challenge explained

The referee did a poor job explaining the point of the Packers' challenge of the Terrell Owens/Al Harris play.

By saying the Packers were challenging whether it was a catch or an incomplete pass, the referee really meant a catch or an interception, provided Harris' feet were in bounds. That's as opposed to a catch and forced fumble, which could not be challenged because officials ruled Owens had possession and then had his forward progress stopped. If called on the field, halted forward progress -- and anything that happens after it -- cannot be challenged.

I'm not convinced the right call was made initially, but based on what could be challenged on the play, the officials couldn't overturn it.

The call kept alive a drive that ended with Nick Folk's 26-yard field goal, which knotted the score at 3 with 8:23 to go in the first quarter.

To answer a popular topic from earlier, Frank Walker is playing the slot when the Packers go to their nickel package.

UPDATE: To answer a question below, no, I can't sit here and type play-by-play. A) It's illegal; and B) I'm here to provide things you can't get by following the game tracker on the NFL's Web site. If you have specific questions that will help you understand what's going on, I'm happy to follow up on those.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Not a touchdown, but they'll take it

An offsides penalty on DeMarcus Ware wiped out a would-be Brett Favre fumble and helped keep alive a drive that ended in a 47-yard Mason Crosby field goal, giving the Packers a 3-0 lead 3 minutes, 28 seconds into the first quarter.

The Packers showed a bunch of different looks on the game's opening drive, including a shallow I-formation of John Kuhn and Vernand Morency, who then went in motion, and a five-wide formation with four receivers on one side, isolating Ruvell Martin. The Packers also did exactly what could be expected, going after No. 2 cornerback Jacque Reeves often.

The timing looked to be a little off in the passing game early, but no one can argue with points to start a road game.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Opportunities for backups to shine

I talked to Daniel Muir on Monday about potentially suiting up tonight against Dallas.

Muir, an undrafted rookie out of Kent State, made the team after being one of training camp's biggest surprises. But he was inactive for the first 11 games this season, as five other players saw time ahead of him. Injuries to Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole the past two games opened the door for Muir and fellow rookie Justin Harell, the first-round pick who has been dogged by injuries.

Because it wasn't certain Muir would suit up tonight until inactives were announced, I didn't publish his remarks. But he'll play at least some role in the Packers' biggest game of the season, so here you go:

"Practice a lot of time is harder than the games," Muir said. "I try to pride myself on going extremely hard in practice. A lot of times when I do that — I really did through my whole life — when I do that, the game comes easy to me. It’s really just knowing everything you’ve got to do, where you got to be, your assignments and then going out there and having fun. That’s when you have your party, is the game. That’s when you have fun. I’m really looking forward to playing."

So, was he frustrated sitting for so long?

"I’d be lying if I told you it didn’t come to my mind — like, ‘Man, I’m going so hard’ (but not playing)," he said. "When I thought that, I just tried to put it in my mind that I’m doing something. When I’m going out there going hard, that’s helping the whole offensive line get ready, and if you looked, it worked for them on Sunday, because they didn’t let guys get the breaks. They block extremely well. It was all for a reason.

"When I wasn’t playing, it came to mind a couple times — like, ‘I’m going hard, and I’m not playing. But I always thought to myself, ‘Just go harder,’ because I’m helping my team out. You’ve just got to keep that in your mind, just keep beating that in your head."

As for the nickel corner, this will be interesting to watch, and it could change based on the play of Frank Walker and Tramon Williams as well as the situation.

When the Packers faced Carolina on Nov. 18, Williams was ahead of Walker, but the Packers didn't play any dime. Williams trotted out for one play, but then there was a timeout and personnel change, so he didn't make his debut on defense until last week against Detroit. Walker went into that game as the No. 4 corner but then moved up to No. 3 when Woodson went down.

Williams outplayed Walker against Detroit and is better at playing the ball, hands-down. But Walker has a little more experience, and given who the Packers are facing tonight, he might at least start as the nickel guy ahead of Williams tonight.

The good news is the Cowboys really don't have a third wide receiver who's going to strike fear in any team. Behind Terrell Owens (58 catches) and Patrick Crayton (33), who will have a favorable matchup against fill-in starter Jarrett Bush, Dallas has second-year pro Sam Hurd (11). Stopping tight end Jason Witten, who probably will see a lot of A.J. Hawk and Atari Bigby on him, is the bigger concern.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Woodson, KGB inactive

Cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila both were declared inactive.

Woodson (big toe) and KGB (ankle) both were injured in last Thursday's win at Detroit.

Jarrett Bush will replace Woodson as the starting left cornerback.

Also inactive were: receiver Shaun Bodiford, safety Aaron Rouse, safety Marviel Underwood, guard Allen Barbre, tight end Bubba Franks and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly.

Nick Collins is active and will start at free safety.

-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

Follow tonight's game via computer, too

If you are in that two-thirds of the nation not getting tonight's Packers-Cowboys game on TV, or if you are outside the Packers Radio Network coverage area, you still can follow the game online.

NFL.com will stream a live, 3-hour NFL Network studio show during the game. It also will be available to Sprint Nextel wireless subscribers on their video-equipped handhelds or cell phones.

Starting at 7:15 p.m. CST, it'll have replays, highlights and commentary. The "exclusive in-game action" will include red-zone drives and other key plays. The halftime show will be hosted by Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders.

Here's how it's described in Daniel Terdiman's blog at CNETnews.com:

"It turns out that what the NFL is offering via its free NFL.com Live service is a very limited set of short "look-ins" on the game. Mostly what fans will see while the Packers and Cowboys bang away on the gridiron will be talking heads in a studio analyzing the game that most fans can't see."

Another online option: Keep checking Tom Pelissero's live commentary here at our Insider blog.

Don't forget about Tom's postgame chat, either. Details on how to take part are in the post below.

-- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com

Game night in Dallas

Less than 3 1/2 hours until the Packers and Cowboys kick off at Texas Stadium.

The blog will hit full swing shortly before game time, but I wanted to post and let everyone know about a change we've made to the blog: You no longer have to log in to post comments.

For those who posted already, this is no big deal, but I hope it kicks up the discussion a notch from here on out. I always try to keep an eye on the comments during breaks in the action, so if you have thoughts or questions, post them and I'll try to cover as much as I can.

As usual, any general or postgame questions can be directed to the postgame chat. You do still have to log in for that.

You all know my prediction. Anyone else have one to offer?

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

No surprises on injury report

Hammering home the absurdity of having teams file Tuesday and Wednesday injury reports when playing a second consecutive Thursday, the Packers and Cowboys designated statuses for the first time today even though neither team practiced.

Charles Woodson, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Aaron Rouse are questionable on the injury report, while safety Nick Collins and tackle Mark Tauscher lead the list of six players who are are probable. Johnny Jolly remains the only player who's been ruled out, and only Bubba Franks is doubtful. Also probable are: Will Blackmon, Ryan Grant, Ruvell Martin and Tracy White.

No surprises for Dallas, either. The Cowboys once again listed three receivers, with Terry Glenn out for the 12th consecutive game and Patrick Crayton and Anthony Henry probable.

If the NFL insists on continuing to assign teams Thursday-Thursday schedules, it needs to adjust its rules and require injury reports to be filed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in the second week. It's pretty silly this wasn't fixed already.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Gbaja-Biamila says he'll play; Woodson 'questionable'

If he had to make a designation, coach Mike McCarthy said he would list cornerback Charles Woodson and end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila as questionable for Thursday's game against Dallas.

Woodson (toe) and Gbaja-Biamila (ankle) both were listed as limited participation on the week's first injury report, even though Woodson wasn't at the portion of practice that was open to reporters and KGB only went through a rehab workout on the side.

McCarthy said Woodson, who wasn't in the locker room this afternoon, completed the jog-through portion of practice, is improving and will be one of several game-time decisions. Gbaja-Biamila said he expects to play.

"It feels good," said Gbaja-Biamila, whose right leg was bent under him in an ugly collision Thursday at Detroit. "We're going just to take it day by day and everything. It's a coach's call, but I feel good. I'm ready to play. I think that when I'm out there, I'm going to be ready to go 100 percent. ... It's a big game, and I want to be in it."

Meanwhile, tight end Bubba Franks suffered a setback with his knee injury and almost certainly won't play.

"He felt something" on the last play of Monday's practice, McCarthy said. "It didn't feel very good this morning, so we rehabbed him all day today."

Of the 11 players on the Packers injury report, only defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder) is listed as out and only Franks did not participate in any part of practice today.

Receiver Ruvell Martin (ankle), safety Aaron Rouse (knee), tackle Mark Tauscher (ankle) and linebacker Tracy White (ankle) were listed as limited. Cornerback Will Blackmon (foot), safety Nick Collins (knee) and running back Ryan Grant (rib) were full participants.

"I'm holding up very well," said Collins, who has missed the Packers' past three games. "This week, I went out there just to take my time to get the feel of everything, and it worked out well. Today, I was out there moving real great."

McCarthy said Tauscher is better this week than last, which means he'll probably play. He also said Blackmon, sidelined since early October, looks ready to play.

UPDATE: Dallas listed three receivers on its injury report -- Terry Glenn (knee), Patrick Crayton (anke) and Anthony Henry (ankle). Glenn, the former Packer, hasn't played this season and is out. Crayton and Henry were full participants in practice today.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Rayner out ... again

It's been a rough fall for former Packers kicker Dave Rayner.

Released by the Packers at the end of training camp in favor of Mason Crosby, Rayner apparently will be cut for the second time in three months. The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly have reached a contract agreement with veteran John Carney and will release Rayner today.

Rayner was 15-for-22 (68.1 percent) on field goals for the Chiefs and had missed three of his last five attempts, including a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to Oakland.

Despite a little controversy in camp, it certainly seems the Packers made the right choice by keeping their rookie sixth-round draft pick out of Colorado. Crosby is 22-for-28 (78.6 percent).

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Practice notes: No Woodson, Tauscher

Cornerback Charles Woodson is missing from practice for the third consecutive day, and several other key players did little or nothing during the roughly 35 minutes of practice open to reporters this morning inside The Don Hutson Center.

Woodson hasn't practiced since injuring the big toe on his right foot in Thursday's win at Detroit. Coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday trainers were working around the clock to get swelling out of the joint.

Right tackle Mark Tauscher (ankle) made a brief appearance at practice before leaving, presumably to get treatment. Tony Moll, and to a lesser extent Junius Coston, worked in his place.

Safety Aaron Rouse (knee) and end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee/ankle) worked on the side with trainers after individual work, while special-teams ace Tracy White (ankle) wasn't doing anything. Tight end Bubba Franks (knee) and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder) were absent.

On the good-news side for the Packers, safety Nick Collins (knee) was working with the first team and remains on track to make his first start since Nov. 4. Also, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (knee) was doing more than he did Monday.

McCarthy will address the media in about an hour. Back around 1 p.m. with updates.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Favre's mentor resigns

Jeff Bower, who helped develop Packers quarterback Brett Favre at Southern Mississippi, resigned as the Golden Eagles’ head coach on Monday.

“I was sorry to hear about the resignation of Coach Bower — he is a good friend,” Favre said in a statement released by the Packers. “He has meant so much to Southern Miss as a player and coach. I think he was a bit underappreciated, and after the fact they probably will miss him a lot.”

Favre was 28-of-39 passing for 341 yards and two touchdowns in the 1990 All American Bowl against North Carolina State, shortly after Bower was named head coach. Bower, a former Southern Miss quarterback himself, also was his alma mater’s assistant head coach/offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during Favre’s sophomore and junior seasons, in 1987 and ’88.

The Golden Eagles were 7-5 this season, their 14th straight with a winning record. They have accepted an invitation to the Papajohns.com Bowl on Dec. 22.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Update: NFL lets Packers handle bounty case

The NFL has completed its investigation into the Green Bay Packers’ bounty issue and has turned it over to the team without taking any action.

"The club has handled the matter with the players, and the incentive pool has been discontinued," said Greg Aiello, the NFL’s senior vice president of public relations.

It wasn't immediately known what action the Packers have taken or plan to take.

UPDATE: Asked whether the team had taken any action, coach Mike McCarthy said this: "We've already addressed it as a football team. It's a dead issue, in my view. There's been no fines, it's been resolved with the league, and we have moved on."

The investigation began last week after ESPN reported that some Packers defensive backs offered to pay the team’s defensive linemen $500 each if they held Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to less than 100 yards rushing in their Nov. 11 game and if they held the Carolina Panthers to less than 60 yards rushing in the Nov. 18 game.

NFL rules prohibit any bonuses and has what it calls a “bounty rule.” The rule states: “Clubs and players are prohibited from offering or accepting bonuses to a player for his or his team’s performance against a particular team, a particular opposing player or players or a particular group of an opposing team.”

-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

Practice notes: Woodson, KGB absent again

Cornerback Charles Woodson and end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila are absent from practice for the second consecutive day, and several other players appear limited. Meanwhile, safety Nick Collins is practicing again and appears to be on track to return to action for the first time since he suffered a knee sprain Nov. 4 at Kansas City.

Woodson (toe) and Gbaja-Biamila (ankle/knee sprain) haven't practiced since being injured in Thursday's win at Detroit. Four other players who suffered or aggravated injuries in that game -- linebacker Tracy White (ankle sprain), tackle Mark Tauscher (ankle sprain), defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (knee sprain) and safety Aaron Rouse (knee sprain) -- also weren't in pads and did little during the hour-plus of practice open to reporters this morning inside The Don Hutson Center. Rouse and Tauscher left early, presumably to receive treatment.

Collins was working with the first-team defense and didn't appear limited. If he gets through the next two days of work without incident, it seems likely he'll start Thursday's game at Dallas.

Cornerback Al Harris and receivers Donald Driver, Koren Robinson and Greg Jennings weren't in pads but appeared to participate in most drills. Defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder sprain) was absent and isn't expected to play.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

It's official: Texas A&M hires Sherman as coach

Saying he wants to make the Aggies as happy as he made the Cheeseheads, former Packers coach Mike Sherman was introduced this morning as the next football coach at Texas A&M University.

The Austin American-Statesman has the story from the press conference.

It's big news in Texas, where the Austin paper also has an item about who might be on Sherman's staff. One possible defensive coordinator: Former Packers linebacker Johnny Holland, who played at Texas A&M and is the Houston Texans' linebacker coach.

Sherman, 52, was the Packers' coach for six seasons, from 2000 to 2005. His teams went 57-39 and won three NFC North Division titles, but were only 2-4 in the playoffs. He was fired after the Packers went 4-12 in 2005.

He was the Aggies' offensive line coach from 1989 to 1993 and in 1995 and 1996.

-- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com

Packers don't issue injury report

Even though Sunday was the equivalent of a Wednesday practice, the Packers don’t have to release their first injury report until Tuesday.

Coach Mike McCarthy was vague about most injuries. Cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (ankle and knee) are the biggest concerns. Both were injured against the Lions and didn’t practice on Sunday. Right tackle Mark Tauscher, who has been bothered by an ankle injury the last two weeks, also did not practice.

McCarthy said Collins, cornerback Will Blackmon (out since Oct. 3 with a broken foot) and tight end Bubba Franks (out since Oct. 14 due to a knee injury) all could return this week.

Receiver Donald Driver, who sustained a leg injury but finished the game against the Lions in a limited role, appeared to be fine.

Meanwhile, cornerback Joe Porter was signed to the practice squad and safety Tristan Burge was released. The 5-foot-10, 198-pound Porter is a rookie from Rutgers, where he was the 2006 Big East indoor and outdoor 200-meter champion.

-- Rob Demovsky

McCarthy speaks

Some topics from Mike McCarthy's press conference this afternoon:

* On Tony Romo: “He makes a lot of plays. He’s having a great year. … He has the ability to find the open receiver. He plays with very good vision and instinct.”

* On finding the balance between passing and throwing on offense: “Our job is to put points on the board and try to control the time of possession.”

* Safety Nick Collins, who has missed two games with an injury, has a chance to play on Thursday.

* Justin Harrell was making a lot of progress before his injury. "He’s exactly what we thought he was. A big body with ability to be a run-stopper.”

* On the Dallas defense: "I’m very impressed with their front seven. ... This is going to be a big-time challenge.”

* On linebacker A.J. Hawk: “He’s a lot more consistent than he was last year.”

* Tight end Jason Witten will give the defense a challenge, but McCathy hopes he can be contained. "I feel we have good matchups there. I like our safeties."

-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com

Favre talks about Romo

Brett Favre held his weekly press conference this afternoon. He was asked several questions about the comparisons between him and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

“He’s creative, a lot like I was early in my career,” said Favre. “He makes plays when plays aren’t there.”

Other topics:

When asked if it bothers him that he has never won in Dallas: “Not any more. It did when we lost all those times (in the 1990s).”

On the Packers’ offense: “There’s so much more we can be doing. Call me crazy. …
We haven’t found our identity to a certain extent… what do you want to do?”

On whether this is his best season, Favre said: "Up to this point, yes."

Favre said things are clicking on offense because he’s on the same page with his receivers. “The fit for us is perfect,” he said.
Favre said he knows what Donald Driver is going to do without even looking at him. He is also developing that same type of feeling with Greg Jennings and James Jones. “That makes as much difference as anything,” he said.

On whether he was wrong on acquiring Randy Moss in the offseason, and that the Packers didn't need him: “We’re 10-1. Randy is doing what I thought he would do. Could he be doing that for us? Sure he could. What our guys are doing for us is outstanding.”

-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com

Underwood returns; Cole placed on injured reserve

Safety Marviel Underwood, who was released by the Packers in training camp, was back on the practice field today.

Packers Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Underwood was signed to the 53-man roster. To make room, defensive lineman Colin Cole, who broke his arm in the Lions game, was placed on injured reserve.

The Packers cut Underwood on Aug. 21. He had missed all of the 2006 season due to a knee injury that he sustained in the first preseason game. He never appeared to be fully recovered from the knee injury and struggled in camp this summer.

The Packers might need some help at safety this week because Aaron Rouse sustained a knee injury in Thursday's game at Detroit. Rouse had been starting in place of Nick Collins, who also has been out due to a knee injury. Collins returned to practice today and appeared to be taking part in most drills. Rouse was among a group of players that left early in practice to receive treatment. The others were linebacker Tracy White and right tackle Mark Tauscher.

Cornerback Charles Woodson did not appear to take part in practice nor did defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.

Further updates will be available later in the day.

-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

A new job for Sherman?

Former Packers coach Mike Sherman reportedly is one of the top candidates to be the next football coach at Texas A&M, following the embattled Dennis Franchione's resignation after Thursday's win over Texas.

Among the news outlets mentioning Sherman as a possible successor to Franchione: ESPN.com, the Austin American-Statesman, the Houston Chronicle and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

An announcement on a new coach is expected next week.

There are plenty of other candidates as well, with Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville also at or near the top of most wish lists.

Sherman, 52, is the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator but has ties to A&M. He was the Aggies' offensive line coach from 1989 to 1993 and in 1995 and 1996.

He then spent two seasons as the Packers' tight ends and assistant offensive line coach under Mike Holmgren, then accompanied Holmgren to the Seattle Seahawks in 1999 as offensive coordinator.

Sherman returned to Green Bay as head coach in 2000 and went 57-39 in six seasons, winning three consecutive NFC North Division titles from 2002 to 2004. However, his teams were just 2-4 in the playoffs. He was fired after the Packers went 4-12 in 2005.

-- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com

Injury update

Defensive tackle Colin Cole will miss at least one game and probably more with a broken arm, apparently the most significant injury among eight players who suffered or aggravated injuries in Thursday's win at Detroit.

The other most notable injuries McCarthy mentioned were to end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who suffered ankle and knee sprains, and cornerback Charles Woodson, who has an injured big toe. Meanwhile, safety Nick Collins, tight end Bubba Franks and cornerback Will Blackmon all apparently have a chance to return to action next week at Dallas, McCarthy said.

Coaches and trainers haven't made a decision about whether Cole, who fractured his left forearm Sunday, will play again this season "but he won't play this week, I do know that for sure," coach Mike McCarthy said this afternoon.

Woodson has a lot of swelling in the big toe on his right foot and was receiving treatment. Team physician Dr. Pat McKenzie did not describe the injury as turf toe, McCarthy said, adding that Woodson had not had an X-ray.

"There's history of an injury there in the past, so those are the things that he has to work through," McCarthy said. "We'll have a lot better diagnosis as the week goes on."

Gbaja-Biamila is undergoing more tests this afternoon.

"It did not look good on film," McCarthy said. "He's very flexible, and I'm hopeful that he was able to save himself from being in a bad position."

Safety Aaron Rouse (knee sprain), right tackle Mark Tauscher (ankle sprain), linebacker Tracy White (ankle sprain), receiver Donald Driver (ankle sprain) and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (knee sprain) also sustained or aggravated injuries Thursday. It's unclear whether any of them are in danger of missing the Dallas game.

"I just think you need to be smart when you have injuries at this time of year," McCarthy said. "You have five games left, and I understand the importance and the excitement of the upcoming game at Dallas, but we just need to be smart as we go through these individual injuries and keep in mind there's a lot of football left."

Despite strong play from Rouse, McCarthy said he expects Collins to be the starter once he's healthy. Collins and Franks will be "close" for Thursday's game, while Blackmon "has a chance" to be active.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Packers get breathing room, move to 10-1

The Lions will need a miracle now, after Mason Crosby's third field goal, from 26 yards, made it 37-26 with 1:44 to play. The Packers have a lot of injuries to key players they'll have to deal with before they play Dallas a week from today, but once again, it appears they'll finish the job.

I'll admit I erred saying the game was over with the Packers in front by 22 and about 10 minutes to play. But did anybody see anything from the Lions that made you think they would hang around? In the end, they've run out of time, so the point is moot. However, I'll choose my words more carefully next time.

UPDATE: The Lions gained