Bostick has his sights on Week 1 return

The lower-leg injury Brandon Bostick sustained in Saturday's 21-7 win over St. Louis was unrelated to the broken left foot that landed him on injured reserve late last season.

However, it likely will be enough to keep him out the remainder of the preseason.

The Green Bay Packers second-year tight end wouldn't go into specifics, but is holding out hope for a return before the team's regular-season opener against Seattle on Sept. 4.

He was on crutches in the Packers' locker room Tuesday, but confirmed his injury won't require surgery.

"I don't know the timeline but I'd like to be back hopefully before the season starts. But if not, whenever I get healthy."

Bostick was in contention for the Packers' starting tight end job prior to the injury, which he sustained following a 9-yard catch in traffic in the first quarter against the Rams. He stayed in for a running play before exiting.

After the game, he wrote on Twitter: "No Worries. I'm Good. God Has My Back!"

His injury has opened up some extra reps for third-round rookie Richard Rodgers, veteran Andrew Quarless and second-year tight end Jake Stoneburner.

"I always tell myself it could have been worse," Bostick said. "I could have been out for the season but I'm not. I'm only out for a couple weeks so I'm just trying to get back healthy and just try to do what I can do now until the season starts."

The Packers likely will be without running back Rajion Neal for the remainder of the preseason, as well.

The former Tennessee standout raised some eyebrows with his five carries for 39 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay's preseason opener against Tennessee, but he suffered a knee injury on a kickoff in the fourth quarter.

Neal initially told reporters he expected to be back soon, but Packers coach Mike McCarthy said it likely will be a couple weeks, putting his chances at a roster spot in jeopardy.

Guard T.J. Lang banged his shoulder and dropped out of practice late, but McCarthy doesn't anticipate it being serious. Rookie lineman Jordan McCray also dropped out with an undisclosed injury.

Injury report

New injuries: OL T.J. Lang (shoulder), OL Jordan McCray (unknown).

Still out: RB Rajion Neal (knee), LB Joe Thomas (knee), OL Don Barclay (knee), WR Jared Abbrederis (knee), TE Brandon Bostick (lower leg), DL Letroy Guion (hamstring).

--whodkiew@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @WesHod.