McCarthy: Bakhtiari likely out for Steelers game

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media before practice on Wednesday morning. Here are some highlights:

On injuries to left tackle David Bakhtiari and others:

David Bakhtiari (who has a knee injury) is on a program that will pretty much keep him out all week. If it's up to me, unless information is different, he'll be stressed to play in Pittsburgh. Clay Matthews has an elbow issue, he's not going to practice today.

UPDATE, 1:25 p.m.: Matthews was on the practice field in pads, stretching with the rest of the team at the beginning of practice, a sign that he'd give it a go. He also was on the field for the start of the defense's walkthrough. He appeared to be limited in team reps later in practice and didn't work with the No. 1 defense.

On getting a faster start based on practice:

This week will be the closest we can get to for an in-season schedule. Practices are a little different because we have some training things we're trying to get through. Special-team ball drills going into Wednesday practice instead of Saturday. We have an exchange period we're working on concepts we feel are very challenging. It's pretty close. The time commitment and classroom is in-season schedule and that's what we talked about this week. As a coaching staff, we talked through in detail. Short week next week and the fourth preseason game.

On moving out of the St. Norbert College dorms:

We've been an in-season starting point mode for last two weeks. Started after family night. Players who have homes here are probably more comfortable in their own homes.

On practicing after a day of heavy rain:

We have the best draining fields in Green Bay. We'll start outside.

On Don Barclay at left tackle in Bahktiari's absence:

Don is going to work there Monday and he'll work there today. Consideration to start him on Sunday.

On the offensive line:

David Bakhtiari's situation has created an opportunity for other guys to fit in there. In a perfect world, you'd like to establish your offensive line.

On backup offensive lineman JC Tretter:

JC has been excellent. I think he's had a very good training camp. I think it's been his best. He's a pro. He's here early and stays late. He's doing a great job. … Great personality, very intelligent. Great example for your younger players.

On the veterans at outside linebacker:

You never have enough pass rushers. That's something we've done very well. We do a good job of getting after the quarterback. All four of those guys can play inside. Julius (Peppers), Mike (Neal) and Nick (Perry) can all play three-technique in their past. Versatility and ability to get after quarterback.

On the young tight ends:

I thought Richard Rodgers has really jumped to the front of the class. He's practiced very well. Did some good things in New England.

On how you use players in the second preseason game:

A little different. We'll see how the game goes. I think you do want to play the third game similar from a play-time standpoint. Most important thing about the third game is how close it is to the regular season.

On joint practices with other teams:

I have (given it a thought). I may have been the only one who has. Our situation is unique in that we'd never take the team out of Green Bay. There was a team in the past that was interested in a home-and-home and that wasn't going to work. With new CBA, I'm not really open to it. It takes eight installation practices to get your offense and defenses in and transition to in-season practices.

On 33 offensive plays for the first-team offense in last week's preseason opener:

That was definitely the goal. We wanted to come out and play fast and run as many plays as possible. That's the goal. That's the way we want to play.

On Ryan Feder, the team's football technology analyst:

He's a good young man. He has a background in analytics. He's a Tulane graduate. He's really learning the football part of it. We try to spend as much time as we can. He'll be working with me when we get into the football season. He's a young guy. He's just learning. It's an area I'm personally growing in.