McCarthy: Harris could be back; Wells to start

Here's the Packers' Wednesday injury report:

S Atari Bigby (hamstring) DNP
T Chad Clifton (knees) limited
S Nick Collins (back) limited
FB Korey Hall (knee) DNP
CB Al Harris (spleen) out
WR James Jones (knee) limited
RB Kregg Lumpkin (hamstring) DNP
S Aaron Rouse (ankle) limited
G Josh Sitton (knee) limited
CB Charles Woodson (toe) DNP

Notably absent from the injury report: RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) and WR Ruvell Martin (finger).

Here are the highlights of what coach Mike McCarthy had to say about the injuries and other issues at his post-practice media conference ...

* On Harris' torn spleen: It's a different type of injury. They'll take a cautious approach. Harris can't do anything for seven days. Still gathering information on second and third opinion to try to put together timeline. There is "a good chance we can avoid surgery. ... If Al was standing here, he'd tell you he'd want to play this week. ... I'm hopeful that he'll be back. The timeframe just hasn't been established yet." Hopeful it won't be a couple of months.

* On C Scott Wells: He will start at center. Jason Spitz will start at right guard.

* Scenario where rotating offensive linemen in game? "There's some merit to it." Don't want to stop development or flexibility. If do, would do so in limited sense.

* On CB Tramon Williams, who will start in Harris' place: Been a great surprise. "We won't even blink with him in there." Has long arms, tremendous work ethic.

* Try to convince TE Joey Haynos to stay? Had long conversation before he left. It's unfortunate. "I just wished him the best."

* On Tampa Bay's defense: Not playing as much Tampa-2. "It's a defense we get a lot of work on" because three opponents in division play it. Adjusting fronts, coverages, playing more 3-deep.

* On Jarrett Bush: Will work in, as all defensive backs will, as Packers look at different combinations this week in practice because of injuries.

* Hourlong jogthrough this morning was all work on Tampa. Practice schedule was adjusted because of the injuries.

* On tight ends: Donald Lee has played at high level, blocking better than last year. Pleased with production of group.

* On Grant, who is not on the injury report: Was a little rough but was a full participant today. Approach his hamstring day to day, but expects full participation again on Thursday.

* On Tampa Bay's offense: "There's a lot of experience there." Scheme is a challenge, lot of shifting, motioning, attempt to make defense adjust. Coach Jon Gruden does good job using personnel.

* Any value in watching Brian Griese's play for Chicago last October at Lambeau Field? Sure. Will watch it. Point of release, eyes, rush lanes, etc.

* On rookie CB Pat Lee: He'll be up and play on special teams on Sunday.

UPDATE: Here's the Tampa Bay injury report:

B.J. Askew, RB Hamstring Did Not Participate
Josh Bidwell, P Not Inj. Related Did Not Participate
Derrick Brooks, LB Hamstring Limited Participation
Matt Bryant, K Not Inj. Related Did Not Participate
Warrick Dunn, RB Not Inj. Related Limited Participation
Joey Galloway, WR Foot Did Not Participate
Brian Griese, QB Not Inj. Related Limited Participation
Davin Joseph, G Foot Limited Participation
Ryan Sims, DT Groin Did Not Participate
Aquib Talib, CB Hamstring Full Participation

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com