Montgomery likely to miss third straight game
Ty Montgomery likely will miss his third consecutive game with the sprained ankle he suffered last month against San Diego.
The Green Bay Packers downgraded the rookie receiver/returner to doubtful to play Sunday game against Detroit following their final practice on Saturday. Montgomery hasn’t played since leaving in the second quarter of a 27-20 win over the Chargers on Oct. 18.
The Packers also have upgraded cornerback Sam Shields (shoulder) and outside linebacker Mike Neal (hip) to probable.
Montgomery followed a similar routine as last week when he practiced in a limited capacity before being downgraded to doubtful on Saturday. His absence would leave the Packers again without their No. 4 receiver and primary kickoff returner. Montgomery is averaging 31.1 yards on his seven returns this season.
“It’s definitely not 100 percent,” Montgomery said on Friday. “It felt pretty bad when I hurt it, so I’m just going to keep taking it one day at a time and hopefully this will be the week.”
Defensive back Micah Hyde has been mostly handling kickoff return assignments in Montgomery’s absence, averaging 23.5 yards on four returns.
Shields sat out of Sunday’s 37-29 loss to Carolina with a shoulder sprain he suffered against Denver. He said he’ll likely need to wear a harness for protection, but said he felt good in practice this week. He’ll likely match up with Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, who expressed confidence he’d play despite being listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Neal didn’t practice on either Wednesday or Thursday, but said on Friday that he expects to play. He was first added to the injury report with the hip injury last Saturday.
Running back Eddie Lacy (groin) remains questionable after being limited in practice this week. Whether he plays, James Starks is still expected to start after Lacy was demoted by coach Mike McCarthy this week following his slow start.
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Packers final injury report...
Doubtful: WR Ty Montgomery (ankle)
Questionable: RB Eddie Lacy (groin)
Probable: CB Sam Shields (shoulder), OLB Mike Neal (hip), T Bryan Bulaga (knee), S Morgan Burnett (calf), CB Casey Hayward (concussion), DB Micah Hyde (quad), WR James Jones (quad), G T.J. Lang (back), LB Clay Matthews (knee/ankle), OLB Nick Perry (shoulder/wrist), CB Damarious Randall (illness), CB Quinten Rollins (neck), G Josh Sitton (back).