McCarthy: Wells has setback

It appears the Packers won't have center Scott Wells for the season opener -- and perhaps much longer -- after he suffered another setback in his recovery from a recurring lower back injury.

Coach Mike McCarthy said today the team was gathering more information on the status of Wells, who has sustained or aggravated the "trunk" injury at least three times in recent weeks.

Asked whether the team previously believed Wells would be ready to play Monday night against Minnesota, McCarthy said, "Definitely. I think it was 16 days that he's been going through the rehab, and this is unfortunate. I know Scott's frustrated, but he had a setback at (Monday's) practice."

That means the Packers will revert to the starting offensive line that closed the preseason, with Daryn Colledge at left guard, Jason Spitz in Wells' place at center and Tony Moll in Spitz's place at right guard.

Wells originally sustained the injury in practice on Aug. 1, then aggravated it early in the preseason.

Also from McCarthy ...
* RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) sat out practice because of soreness but did not have a setback.
* DT Ryan Pickett (hamstring) "definitely" will be ready to play on first and second down against Minnesota.
* LB A.J. Hawk (chest) is "way ahead of schedule," but doctors have not cleared him to return.
* The team will "have more information by the end of the week" on the status of WR James Jones (knee) and other injured players.
* The quality of practice was poor, in part because so many players weren't participating. Among other things, rookie TE Joey Haynos, who stands 6-foot-8, was filling in at linebacker with the scout team.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com