McCarthy: Driver dealing with personal situation

Here are the newsy items as coach Mike McCarthy addresses the media at Lambeau Field ...

* First, the injury report: LB Nick Barnett (knee) is -- surprise -- out. CB Jarrett Bush (ankle) and WR Donald Driver (not injury related) did not participate; LT Chad Clifton (knees) and CB Charles Woodson (toe) were limited; and DE Jeremy Thompson (groin) was a full participant. That's a good sign for Thompson's chances of playing Monday night at New Orleans.

* On Driver: Will give off today and tomorrow. Has personal situation that came up, so he's been excused. Any further comment on that situation would be inappropriate. Expect to have him back by Monday.

* On practice: Broke up a Wednesday workload and spread it out over today and Thursday. Wanted to make sure players did heavy work closer to game. That's a change from the past, when did it earlier in week before Monday night games. This gives an extra-half day to rest. Also will get an extra lift in.

* On today's schedule: Also had meetings and an optional player programs meeting.

* On whether his players know there are ties, unlike Donovan McNabb and others: Have team business category in Wednesday meetings and addressed that today. If didn't know, know now.

* On DT Colin Cole vs. Bears: Think elbow was bothering in second half. Had some sacks that got away.

* On replacing Barnett on roster this week: Potentially, but no decision yet. "It's a possibility."

* On Barnett's surgery: Will be done by Dr. Patrick McKenzie.

That's it for now.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com