Kentrell Brice thankful he didn't injure groin worse in Atlanta

GREEN BAY – On the first play against the Atlanta Falcons this month, Green Bay Packers safety Kentrell Brice said he felt tightness in his groin when he tried to run full speed.

Brice was standing 15 yards off the line of scrimmage as the deep safety. When Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan handed off to running back Devonta Freeman, Brice sprinted into the box. His groin only felt tight at the time.

He said it became painful as he played more snaps.

“I just kept trying to play through it,” Brice said. “It got to the point where I couldn’t really move the way I needed to move, and I felt like I was hindering the team. So trainers pulled me, and I understood. I was mad about it, because of the competitive spirit in me, but I knew at the end of the day I wasn’t benefiting the team by being out there and being hurt at the same time.”

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Brice, who played 21 snaps in Atlanta, said it became clear he could no longer play effectively late in the second quarter.

He was covering Falcons receiver Julio Jones in the middle of the field on a deep crossing route. When Jones approached running from the defense’s right side of the field to the left, Brice’s groin was too painful for him to flip his hips.

Brice almost fell down as he backpedaled, and Jones caught a pass for 24 yards.

“It was extremely tight,” Brice said, “and as the game went on, the tightness went to pain. Just kind of kept trying to play, but I think the pass when Julio came underneath me, I couldn’t really turn like I wanted to. I think they saw that, so they were able to pull me out. I’m thankful for them doing that, because I could’ve injured it worse than it was.

“It did get me out before I injured it worse. I believe if I finished playing the game, it could’ve been a grade worse than what it was.”

Instead, Brice was listed as a full participant on Tuesday’s injury report. He missed Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but figures to be available Thursday against the Chicago Bears if there are no setbacks.

On the injury report, Brice was joined as full practice participants by receiver Randall Cobb (chest), defensive lineman Quinton Dial (chest), running back Ty Montgomery (wrist), inside linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring/concussion) and outside linebacker Nick Perry (hand).

Perry practiced with a black club over his right hand after having surgery last week. He played with a club over his left hand late last season.

Left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring), right tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle) and defensive tackle Mike Daniels (hip) were listed as limited, giving them a chance to play against the Bears. Coach Mike McCarthy indicated that only players who were able to participate in Tuesday’s practice would have a chance to be available Thursday night.

Drawing that line would mean cornerback Davon House, dealing with a quad injury, will be inactive after not practicing Tuesday.