For the moment, wide receiver Donald Driver remains questionable for this weekend's game against the Arizona Cardinals, but GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Friday that the 2002 Pro Bowler could be upgraded to probable based on Saturday's walkthrough practice.
If deemed healthy enough to play, there's no reason to think Driver couldn't make the start as well.
"He's practiced all week, so if I decide to go that way, he would start," Sherman said. "There's a chance that could happen. Right now he's listed as questionable ... I'll either upgrade him or keep him at questionable tomorrow. That will be the determining factor."
Driver is looking to come back from a badly sprained neck, which forced him to be removed from the field on a stretcher in the Packers' season opener, September 7.
As recently as last Sunday, Driver was still wearing a neck brace, but he donned pads with the rest of his teammates for practices this week. None of the workouts included live tackling however, and Driver's ability to withstand a hard hit without aggravating the injury might still be in doubt.
"There are things you just can't replicate," Sherman said, "him leaping for a ball and falling on the ground type of thing. I mean he banged around in his pads and blocked and has done all those things, but to dive for a football and land on his back again, we're not going to replicate that until game time, I guess."
Driver said he feels good enough to play this weekend, but is comfortable leaving the decision up to Sherman and team physician Dr. Patrick McKenzie.
Members of Driver's family have warned him not to rush back if unready, but none are trying to stand in the way of his participating this week.
"No one is saying that," Driver said. "My wife knows I love this game. She's going to be behind me 100 percent regardless of what I decide to do. Right now she's saying, if you feel like playing, play."
Ferguson Probable
Listed as probable on the injury report, wide receiver Robert Ferguson should be in the starting lineup Sunday despite aggravating his sprained right knee against the Detroit Lions last weekend.
Sherman said Ferguson isn't 100 percent, but is looking much better than at the beginning of the week.
"Monday I didn't think we were going to have him for this week at all, to be honest with you," Sherman said. "Tuesday it was a little suspect. Wednesday he came out and did some things ... So he's improved during the course of the week."
Walls Questionable
Tight end Wesley Walls' strained hamstring is being treated with caution. The five-time Pro Bowler took part in some light drills near the beginning of practice, but was held out for the most part Friday, according to Sherman.
"I held him out because I'm just concerned about the hamstring to this point," Sherman said. "Any work he's done (this week) has been pretty fundamental in regard to running routes and catching. We've never really gone full-speed with him. So he has not hampered his progress by what he did this week.
"It's obvious that if he doesn't play this weekend, there's a better likelihood that we would be available (against Chicago, Sept. 29)."
Other Notes: Fullback Nick Luchey continues to be questionable with a strained calf ... Linebacker Na'il Diggs will start Sunday despite a sprained knee ... Defensive lineman Aaron Kampman didn't practice Friday, but is still listed as probable ... Safety Antuan Edwards (quadriceps) was back at practice Friday after sitting out Thursday.
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