McCarthy: We've improved with 3-down backs

Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media following Thursday's practice: Here are some highlights from his news conference:

Injury report

Did not participate: RT Bryan Bulaga (concussion), CB Davon House (shoulder)

Limited: G T.J. Lang (ankle), OLB Mike Neal (abdomen), LB Clay Matthews (biceps), OLB Nick Perry (shoulder), RB Eddie Lacy (eye), G Josh Sitton (toe)

On Bryan Bulaga:

He's in the concussion protocol and making progress. Doing good.

On Doug Martin:

Very instinctive, good football player. Having him healthy clearly makes a different with their offense

On David Bakhtiari:

David Bakhtiari has had an excellent season. You look for all those guys to make a jump and he's definitely done that. Still young guy

On running backs in the passing game:

One of the biggest improvements we've made is ability of backs being 3-down players. Rotation has been cut 60, 70 percent in terms of substitutions

On run game:

Anytime you have opportunity to work on certain things and get into a groove, the options grow.

On rookie receivers:

The natural progression of the position. More teams are playing wide receivers wide in college.

On Eddie Lacy's eye:

It's a personal non-football thing. He's getting better.