Packers notes: Joe Callahan an eager student of Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers
GREEN BAY - It was just one week, but when he was with the New Orleans Saints last season, backup quarterback Joe Callahan did everything he could to learn from Drew Brees.
The Saints claimed Callahan on waivers Oct. 14, 2016, after the Green Bay Packers cut him and immediately began teaching him their system. Callahan was cut eight days later, but he came away more knowledgeable than he was before.
“I made sure I was following Drew around all day long and kind of sticking to his schedule,” said Callahan, who was signed to the Packers’ 53-man roster this week. “I tried to ask as many questions as I could, learn from him as much as I could without distracting him from his routine and his studying.”
In a matter of months, Callahan went from Division III quarterback to being in the same room with Aaron Rodgers and then Brees. He said he has taken a lot of notes along the way.
“Being in a locker room with Aaron and then getting a chance to see how Drew does things, as a rookie you can’t ask for much more or two better guys to learn from,” Callahan said.
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Long road ahead: Cornerback Quinten Rollins suffered an Achilles’ tendon tear Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and was put on the injured reserve list.
His position coach, Joe Whitt, had to try to find the words to comfort Rollins after suffering such a devastating injury.
“There’s nothing I’m going to say that’s going to make him feel better,” Whitt said. “That’s a hard injury to have. That’s usually, typically, a year injury. So, it’s unfortunate.
“But that happens in this game, so you have to accept it, rehab, come back. He’s a hard-working young man. I don’t question his ability to come back and push through like he always has.”
Injury update: The Packers' injury report Thursday was almost identical to the day before, with one exception: outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks did not practice.
Brooks was limited Wednesday, but his back injury forced him to miss Thursday’s padded practice. Brooks was one of five players who missed practice, joined on the active roster by Rodgers (collarbone), left guard Lane Taylor (ankle), safety Morgan Burnett (quad) and inside linebacker Joe Thomas (ankle).
Among players limited at practice were left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (concussion). Bulaga has not yet cleared concussion protocol, but his participation in the padded practice signified he’s moving in the right direction. Cornerbacks Davon House (quad) and Damarious Randall (hamstring) as well as outside linebacker Nick Perry (hand/knee) also were limited.
Rookie outside linebacker Vince Biegel had the first padded practice of his career. Although still on the physically unable to perform list while returning from a broken foot, Biegel was a full participant. Cornerback Kevin King (concussion) and running back Ty Montgomery (ribs) also were full participants.
The Packers listed 14 players on their injury report Thursday. In a startling comparison of overall team health, the Saints listed only two. Tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder) and receiver Willie Snead (hamstring) were limited.