Practice notes: Lots of punting

The Packers' punt unit got its first extended work with new punter Derrick Frost and snapper Brett Goode today.

For about 10 minutes outdoors at Clarke Hinkle Field, Frost showed off the consistency coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson talked about a day earlier. Frost doesn't have Jon Ryan's big leg, but the ball seems to come off his foot the same way every time and he has obvious directional punting ability.

That was about the only notable part of the hour-plus of practice reporters were allowed to see.

Safety Atari Bigby was in pads and appeared to be participating for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in a preseason game on Aug. 22.

At least 10 players were absent, sidelined or very limited in their work. They were: RB Ryan Grant, G Josh Sitton, LB Tracy White, T Chad Clifton, LB A.J. Hawk, S Charlie Peprah, DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, WR James Jones, C Scott Wells and DE Jeremy Thompson.

All have been sitting out because of injuries except Grant and Clifton, who appeared to be getting a day off for rest, and McCarthy indicated on Monday he wouldn't try to bring most players back until later this week, probably after the off day Wednesday.

Because the opener is Monday night and the Packers don't practice on Wednesday, they aren't required to file an injury report until Thursday.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com