Brett Hundley could miss HOF Game
GREEN BAY - With three days until the Green Bay Packers' preseason opener, backup quarterback Brett Hundley’s availability Sunday night is at least in question, if not doubtful.
Hundley will miss his second straight practice Thursday night because of an ankle injury. Coach Mike McCarthy said he’s preparing for the possibility Hundley will be unable to play against the Indianapolis Colts at Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
It’s unclear whether starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday, though his appearance Saturday night at Brett Favre’s enshrinement is a sign the two-time MVP quarterback will not participate in the preseason opener. Without Rodgers and Hundley, the Packers would be down to practice-squad candidates Joe Callahan and Marquise Williams at quarterback.
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“The two young quarterbacks were going to play a lot anyway going into it,” McCarthy said, “and the game plan for offense will reflect that, and that’s part of the reason why we started working on that today in the individual meetings. That’s the way it goes. It’s pro football, plus with the fifth (preseason game). We’ll see after tonight’s practice.”
McCarthy is hoping Hundley gets enough rest this week to play Sunday. Whether that’s a realistic expectation is unclear. Hundley missed his first practice Wednesday night after being injured in Monday’s practice.
McCarthy said he and his staff will sort through playing-time decisions in a meeting Friday.
The Packers hope to get an extensive look at Hundley during their five-game preseason schedule. A fifth-round rookie last year, Hundley is entering his first season as Rodgers’ chief backup after Scott Tolzien signed with the Colts this offseason.
Hundley had a remarkable preseason last year. He led the NFL with seven touchdowns against only one interception and finished second in the league with 630 yards. His 129.6 rating finished eighth.
If Hundley can’t play Sunday, the Packers instead will get an extensive look at their candidates for No. 3 quarterback.
The winner between Callahan and Williams — two undrafted rookies — will find a spot on the team’s practice squad. Callahan played college football for a Division III program at Wesley College, while Williams was second-team All-ACC at North Carolina last season.
Callahan signed with the Packers immediately after the draft, three weeks before Williams. He has consistently taken reps ahead of Williams through camp’s opening week and a half, but McCarthy said he has noticed Williams improve recently.
“Marquise has really picked it up,” McCarthy said. “I’ll say that, and Joe’s done a very good job of improving. They’re going to take pretty much the majority of reps (Thursday). I want to see them take advantage of it.”
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