McCarthy: Hope Abbrederis practices today
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is hopeful second-year receiver Jared Abbrederis might practice for the first time since suffering a concussion on July 30.
Abbrederis, a native of Wautoma, missed his entire rookie season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He’s participated in only six of a possible 35 camp practices since the Packers drafted him in the fifth round of last year’s NFL draft.
“I’m hopeful Jared Abbrederis practices today,” McCarthy said. “That’s one of the moving variables that we have in getting ready for 75 because obviously he hasn’t practiced yet.”
At the very least, the fact Abbrederis has a chance to practice is a good sign he’s passed the concussion protocol.
It’s a busy day for the Packers. They have to trim their roster to 75 by 3 p.m. Central Time in addition to conducting their final practice of training camp.
Here are some other highlights from Mike McCarthy’s news conference:
On plan for Thursday’s preseason finale against New Orleans:
I'm hopeful Jared Abbrederis practices today. That's one of the moving variables we have getting ready for 75.
On plan for Thursday:
I don't have a plan for you. We have some things that are still moving around as far as getting down to 75. We'll get that figure out after practice today.
On Randall Cobb's status for Week 1:
I don't have any injury updates for any of our players.
On challenges for final preseason week:
It's a difficult game to play with the 75 cut Tuesday before game. I can't tell you how many different conversations we've had. That's why things are still moving. That's why you still want to be prepared if something happens in today's practice. This is tough. These seven days Sunday-to-Sunday is hardest part for everybody.
On camp changes:
Every camp is different. I look at some of the things we did schedule-wise and things we adjusted from last year. Every training camp takes a different path. The first two weeks I felt very good about the way we practiced. I thought we got off to a good start against New England. Pittsburgh was disjointed. Jordy's injury affected guys during the game. Learning opportunity there from adversity-standpoint.
On decision to sit Aaron Rodgers:
I think it was the right call. You start with the individual and people he's playing with. There's goals and targets you're trying to hit. It's never really the same every year. It doesn't usually always work out that way. There's factors you can't control.
On Scott Tolzien getting work this week:
We'll see how today goes. What's going on around him factors into that decision.
On what he wants to see Thursday:
Everybody gets to play a bunch. Everybody gets an opportunity to show their value in making the football team. No. 1, just be healthy. Don't want to jinx yourself.
On injuries factoring into a fast start:
This is kind of a phase of preparation you go through. You have an installation phase in camp and then player evaluation phase. Monday kicks off opportunity to have a fast start. I'm not concerned about it. Frankly, there's some things you can't control.
On Myles White:
I think he's made a ton of progress. He took advantage of his opportunities. The step he needed to make was on special teams and he did a nice job last week. He's a young man you want to see be successful.
Can jobs still be won?
When you get to this point you have a combination of players you’re looking at, how they play together, how they play individually, how they fit to the locker room, what do you your numbers look like? On my depth chart I don’t have a set number of defensive linemen, set number of – if you look at our history we don’t just line up with the same 53 positions breakdown each and every year. We really try to stay focused on keeping the players we feel give us the best chance to go through a season and from that also build a very strong practice squad.
On Andy Mulumba coming back from ACL injury:
I like what andy’s done. No. 1 you have that hurdle you have to get over when you have that major injury. I think he’s clearly stepped over that. I think he’s playing some of the best football that he’s played in his time here. I’d like to see andy take another step Thursday against the saints.
On how locker-room chemistry factors into final 53:
It all factors. Being a good teammate is important. Some teams may weigh that differently, I don’t know. But it’s important here. History will teach you these kinds of lessons, you don’t want to go through a whole spring with a player, then go through a whole training camp with a player, and then he makes the team, and then you see a different guy on that first Monday in Week 1. That’s bothersome. It may have happened in the past. Those are the kind of things you look for when it comes down to the dynamics of your locker room.