Former Packer Bob Jeter dies

Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Bob Jeter, who played eight seasons in Green Bay (1963-70) and was a starter for the first two Super Bowl championship teams, died Thursday in Chicago of a heart attack. He was 71.

The 6-1, 200-pound Jeter became a starter during the 1966 season for the Packers at cornerback and continued in that role through 1970. After leaving the Packers he played three seasons with the Chicago Bears.

In 11 seasons, Jeter had 26 interceptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Jeter was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1985.

Jeter had worked for the Chicago Park District, coordinating citywide sporting events for kids.

Jeter’s son, Rob, is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com

Payton optimistic Bush will play

In a conference call with Wisconsin reporters, Saints coach Sean Payton expressed optimism that running back/receiver/return man Reggie Bush will be available for Monday's game against the Packers.

Bush, who hasn't played since Oct. 19 because of a knee injury, has practiced on a limited basis the past two days.

"He’s further along than he was last week at this time," Payton said. "I was encouraged with the workout. I’m anxious to see (today) the effect of him moving around out there (Thursday), but he took a good deal of the reps, so I’m optimistic this additional time has helped him and certainly, with the game being on Monday, this time off has helped him. … He looked pretty comfortable. So, we’ll see. I’m hopeful, though."

Asked whether Bush could be used on punt returns, Payton said, "If he’s healthy enough, we’ll do that, and we’re hopeful that he is. ... Hopefully, by the weekend we’ll know."

* The Packers added DE Aaron Kampman and backup S Charlie Peprah to the injury report as limited participants, each with a calf injury. DT Colin Cole (elbow) and C Scott Wells (shoulder) also were added but were listed as full participants. WR Donald Driver (not injury related) and CB Jarrett Bush (ankle) did not participate for the second straight day.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Practice notes: Driver absent again

As expected, Packers receiver Donald Driver was absent from practice again today.

It is believed Driver is in Houston, where his father, Marvin, is hospitalized after what his family claims was a police beating.

Coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday that he expects Donald Driver to be available for Monday's game at New Orleans. Driver has not released any statement, and McCarthy is not scheduled to speak with reporters today.

* Not much else newsworthy from practice. DT Colin Cole, who has been battling an elbow injury, arrived late and might be added to the injury report.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Reports: Driver's father hospitalized

Updating the status of Donald Driver, there are numerous TV and Internet reports saying the Packers receiver's father is hospitalized in Houston and that his family is claiming he was beaten by police.

According to the KHOU report, "Family members said the arresting officers also made disparaging remarks about Donald Driver, the NFL player. 'It could be somebody he knew, or something,' said Michael Driver, the player's brother."

Rob Demovsky is working to get more on this, so I'll leave it at that for now. Obviously, it's a serious situation.

Asked if Driver would play on Monday at New Orleans, coach Mike McCarthy said that is "the intention."

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

UPDATE: Here's the statement from the Houston Police Department:

"Mr. Marvin Driver Jr. was arrested during a traffic stop and placed into custody on outstanding traffic warrants about 1:30 am on Monday (Nov. 17). Officers placed him in the back seat of a patrol unit and transported him to our Southeast Jail at 8300 Mykawa Road. Upon arrival to the jail, our officers stated Mr. Driver was unresponsive. One of our jail doctors examined Mr. Driver and advised officers to contact HFD paramedics. HFD then transported Mr. Driver to Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The Houston Police Department's Internal Affairs Division investigates allegations of police misconduct. The allegations being raised by Mr. Driver's family are that injuries he sustained following his arrest were the result of an assault on Mr. Driver by two HPD officers.

We take allegations such as these very seriously and will begin a thorough investigation into the matter. The two officers remain on duty pending further investigation."

-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

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

Practice notes: Driver gets day off

As expected, receiver Donald Driver was not in The Don Hutson Center for practice this afternoon.

Coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that Driver would get the day off to rest various ailments.

Leaving early for treatment were CB Charles Woodson (toe), CB Jarrett Bush (ankle) and LT Chad Clifton (knees).

-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com

Packers mailing playoff ticket invoices

It's standard procedure for NFL teams in the playoff hunt to mail out invoices for potential home playoff games about this time of year, and the Packers have announced they're doing so this week.

Ticket prices, which are set by the NFL for the entire stadium, are $98 (per seat) for a wild card game, $107 for a division playoff game and $148 for the NFC championship.

As usual, "green package" (Green Bay) ticketholders get first dibs on the seats they hold for regular-season games. Any unclaimed seats are allocated at random to "gold package" (Milwaukee) ticketholders.

The payment deadline is Dec. 3. Tickets would be mailed in late December.

* In news that could affect the Packers' chances for making the playoffs, Vikings DE Jared Allen has been fined but not suspended for the latest in his series of illegal hits on quarterbacks -- a helmet-to-helmet shot on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on Nov. 9.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Herron signs with Bucs

One of the veteran running backs the Packers cut at the end of training camp is back in the NFL.

Full-time player and part-time crimefighter Noah Herron reportedly has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost Earnest Graham to a severe ankle injury over the weekend.

The Packers released Herron and Vernand Morency in the final roster cutdown. It was a surprising move, since it left undrafted rookie Kregg Lumpkin as the third halfback on the roster. The Packers cut DeShawn Wynn in the initial August cutdown but re-signed him to the practice squad, then elevated him to the active roster when Lumpkin's hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Morency has met with multiple teams, including the Detroit Lions and New York Jets, but remains a free agent.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

Nov. 30 Packers-Panthers game stays at noon

The Packers' game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 30 will remain a noon kickoff, the NFL announced this afternoon.

The only Week 13 change under the NFL's flexible schedule is the New York Jets' home game against the Denver Broncos. That will be a 3:15 p.m. CST start and will be televised on CBS. It had been a noon start.

Three of the Packers' last four games -- Dec. 7 at home against Houston, Dec. 14 at Jacksonville and Dec. 28 at home against Detroit -- are subject to change under the flexible schedule. All are scheduled to be noon starts.

Any changes will be announced at least 12 days before game day, except in the last week of the season, when six days' notice is allowed.

-- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com

McCarthy's day-after media conference

Coach Mike McCarthy will address the media beginning sometime after 12:15 p.m. As usual, we'll have the newsworthy stuff here as it comes. Refresh for the latest.

* The team came out of the game healthy. Nick Barnett will have his knee surgery on Thursday. Donald Driver is banged up and might miss practice Wednesday, but he's fine.

* On Driver's injuries: Has a number of little nicks. Doesn't specify what.

* On challenges of rest of season: Two Monday night games on holiday weeks. Complicates things from a scheduling standpoint on short weeks.

* On Aaron Rodgers and Chad Clifton practice schedule: "I would anticipate that." Better answer on Wednesday. This is the best Rodgers has felt coming out of a game since his injury. Clifton will go back-to-back, but not sure on which days.

* On importance of November and December football: "We stress it all the time. It's important for us to play our best football."

* On offensive line's performance: Three or four mental errors on offense as whole, but even a couple of those were questionable based on the defensive look. Felt line was strong in both passing and running games. Notes that Rodgers wasn't hit. "They played at a very high level."

* On how A.J. Hawk looked on tape: "I thought A.J. played very well." Did well with communication even in no-huddle situations. "It didn't look like we missed a beat with the boundary communication ... and he was productive." Played downhill in his gap responsibility. Did well against RB Matt Forte when matched in crossing routes. "A.J. graded out very well."

* On team's mind-set with playoffs approaching: "I'd say we're an extremely focused football team."

* On altering practice schedule late in week: Friday practice this week, which will be a Thursday schedule because of the Monday night game, will be the first to reflect the late-season adjustment. Cuts 15 minutes of practice and 15 minutes of meeting time.

* On changes down the stretch to keep teams guessing: Won't overload scheme people. Doesn't think there's a point in change for the sake of change. Thinks teams do better job changing from week to week than even five years ago. For instance, Chicago's pressure percentage was higher this year than he could remember, but the Bears dropped into coverage more on Sunday.

* On Matt Flynn not relieving Rodgers late: Had warmed up and ready to go. Would have liked to get him some snaps, but wasn't going to insert during series.

* On James Jones' knee: Banged it again. Didn't get as many snaps as would have liked. "Though he played OK, played well. ... I'd just like to get him healthy."

* On Rodgers' decisions: Graded out fine in both run and pass.

That's it for now. It's a victory Monday, meaning players won't be around during the media access period, but we'll post any other newsy stuff if it comes up here.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com