Mike Sherman has a droll, understated sense of humor which surfaces when least expected.
Even when the Packers' GM/Head Coach lost Brett Favre, pro football's premier quarterback, during Sunday's 30-9 victory over the Washington Redskins, it didn't desert him.
When asked at a post-game press conference what he was feeling when Favre was carted off Lambeau Field, Sherman facetiously rejoined, "Well, I was going to ask them (the team's medical staff) if they had the classified ads so I could look for another job out there - because it's a little bit harder to work around here without No. 4."
It should be hastily interjected that the Packers' field leader could afford to be lighthearted at that juncture because he already had been assured by Packers team physicians - before arriving in the team's media auditorium - that Favre's injury did not appear to be serious and that he would likely be available for the Packers' next assignment - a "Monday Night Football" matchup against AFC East leader Miami in "Lambeau' Nov. 4.
And he also was well aware that the Packers - riding a five-game winning streak - would be drawing their seasonal bye next weekend and thus have two weeks for Favre and the rest of the team's walking wounded to heal before returning to NFL combat.
Twenty hours later, a relaxed Mike Sherman was able to confirm that preliminary and positive diagnosis from the Packers' medical staff during a subsequent Monday afternoon press conference that was televised "live" throughout the state, simultaneously providing a happy answer to the many telephone calls that had lit up the team's switchboard throughout the morning and early afternoon.
"The M.R.I. went very well, as expected - as Dr. (Pat) McKenzie (team physician) diagnosed it," Sherman announced. "Brett has a left knee lateral collateral ligament sprain. Ice and rehab will be what's going on with him this week as he prepares for the Monday night Miami game."
Obviously pleased with the report - the coach said "very much so - because it looked particularly bad on the field yesterday. And this guy is just a very resilient individual, and we're very fortunate that he's OK."
Football, unquestionably, is a team game but the injury to Favre tended to temporarily overshadow - among the faithful - the heady circumstances in which the Green and Gold find themselves at "the break." Off to a 6-and-1 start for the first time since the Super Bowl year of 1996, they share the NFC's best record with only the New Orleans Saints at this point - with all that signifies with respect to the playoffs and the matter of prospective home field advantage.
When asked to address the team's impressive getaway, Sherman affirmed "I'm just happy to be here at 6-and-1 right now and with a bye...and our guys can go home and enjoy that part of it. If you don't win this game (against Washington), it's a long two weeks. We lost, I believe, last year to Minnesota previous to the bye and it wasn't a whole lot of fun.
"Being 6-and-1 right now, I'm just so happy those guys can enjoy the week, enjoy the time off they're going to get (five days, beginning Friday of this week) and feel good about themselves and maybe, in these next two weeks, appreciate what they've done.
"But, at the same time, maintain that hunger to do more and to do something really special this season. We're almost half way through the season and we haven't won anything yet - and we still have a long way to go...a lot of games against good teams, we can't do anything, hopefully, but look to the future to get better and hopefully win some more football games."
With respect to the obvious "key" to winning those games, the aforementioned No. 4, Sherman said, "We'll be very cautious with it (Favre's injury) to make sure that we don't put him at risk - and that he's ready to go when we do put him out there."
Addressing the possibility that Favre would not be available, Sherman said, "The doctors have indicated that he will be fine for this game (against Miami) and I'm not prepared to tell him that. If, in fact the time comes, we'll discuss it. But, as of right now, there's no indication - any more than with any other player - that he would be out for this ball game."
Asked the extent of the sprain, Sherman replied, "The degree, I guess would be first degree. I don't know - they didn't say first degree - they said it was a sprain that would get better with time and also with ice.
"I guess that it helps that it snowed outside," the Packers coach jested, "so when he's out in the deer stand (during the bye break), he can kneel in the snow. So he'll be fine, I'm sure."
Also asked if Favre would need a brace, Sherman rejoined, "We've ordered him a brace and that's going to be here tomorrow and just as a precautionary measure. So whether he wears that in a game remains to be seen. But it will give him some lateral support."
With respect to limitations upon the 33-year-old field general in practice, Sherman said, "It's something that we'll definitely monitor and see how he's reacting and how he's running. We just assume that everything will be fine. Everything has been positive...he's positive. His mental framework right now is very upbeat - he was this morning. The doctors feel very good about it. But we'll keep an eye on it and make sure that we don't wear him out in practice. He likes to take all the reps but that will probably be less than usual."
Sherman, meanwhile, was lavish in his praise of Favre's replacement, Doug Pederson, who entered the game with the Packers nurturing a modest 17-6 lead and led them to a touchdown and a pair of field goals during his extensive stewardship, which began with only 3:34 gone in the third quarter.
"I thought Doug Pederson did just an excellent job - of not just performing as a quarterback but assuming a leadership role on the team," Sherman asserted. "He assured the offensive football team that 'It's going to be fine - we're going to get this thing done.' And there was a fair amount of confidence - quiet confidence - on the sideline.
"Certainly, there was concern for the player - not necessarily because we lost him for the game. Obviously, there was concern there - but they were concerned about him as a friend. And so, what his goals are for the season and how he wants to be a part of things. But I don't think there was concern whether we were going to win or lose the game because he wasn't in there. Doug was going in his place.
"I thought Doug did a tremendous job of leadership. We had two critical passes he completed - one to Javon Walker on third-and-9 and one to Robert Ferguson on third-and-5. I thought he stepped up and did a very nice job as a quarterback and as a leader.
"You know, it's tough shoes to fill when you know the whole stadium is aghast and it's quiet - and you're going in to replace a Hall of Fame quarterback. That's a pretty tough deal - particularly when you haven't had the reps in practice...And I thought Doug did a fantastic job for us."
Asked if he had to "rally anybody" after Favre left Sunday's game with the injury, Sherman noted, "The defense went up to Brett and said, 'Don't worry about it - we're going to win this for you.' So the defense responded very favorably.
"And I was telling our offensive guys, 'We've got to control this football game,' and the players responded. Obviously, everybody was concerned for Brett. But I don't think anybody had a doubt that we were going to win the football game. They were more worried about one of their buddies getting hurt...and Brett certainly had a concerned look on his face when he came off the field."
In a highly positive overview, Sherman had high praise for the steadfast manner in which his team has responded to adversity en route to a three-game lead in the NFC North Division race - on the wings of that five-game win streak, the longest of Sherman's three-year head coaching tenure and the organization's longest since the 1997 season.
"I can't say enough about the players that took the field (Sunday) because we just keep getting a number of adverse situations presented to us, and they respond so well.
"I take my hat off to the coaches and the players in that locker room. They've done a fantastic job of handling things as they come up. In this game, we had a couple things that didn't go well for us early, and then to lose our starting quarterback - we all know what he means to our football team. And today, we responded to that type of challenge. That might have been as big a challenge as we have had to respond to.
"The Redskins are a good football team. Their young quarterback (Patrick Ramsey) turned the ball over too many times but their defense is a great defense. They gave us everything we could handle.
"I can't say enough about Mike Flanagan going in there and playing left tackle against Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. (And) our young defensive line continues to apply pressure...Our cornerbacks play well, our DBs played well.
"I can't say enough about the way the team has responded to the adversity that they were presented with (against the Redskins) and it's a credit to the coaches in that (locker) room...and the players."
Elaborating on the subject in reply to another question, Sherman said, "For whatever reason, I told you (the media) a while ago that adversity either unites a team or divides a team...Well, it certainly has united our team.
"One of the rules around here is when someone gets hurt, someone has to step up and play that position - another guys has to step up at their position and play better. I think, collectively, we're playing better now despite the fact that we have five defensive starters out of the game (ends Joe Johnson and Vonnie Holliday, cornerback Mike McKenzie and safeties Darren Sharper and Antuan Edwards)."
Statistically, linebacker Nate Wayne paced the miserly defense with 16 tackles, a team, season-high, the imposing total including 10 solo stops. In the process, Wayne posted a quarterback sack and forced and recovered a fumble.
Green Bay on Sunday allowed 3.7 yards per play, its best defensive effort in more than two years, since Sept. 24, 2000 at Arizona (also 3.7).
The Packers allowed 92 net yards passing, the lowest total since they allowed 66 in Washington's last visit to Lambeau, Sept. 24, 2001, a 37-0 Green Bay win. The Packers sacked Redskin quarterbacks 11 times in the two games (six on Sunday, five in 2001).
JUST FOR THE RECORD: In the wake of their 6-1 start, the Packers own the league's best record for their last 27 games...22-5.
They also now have won 18 consecutive games when leading at halftime, the longest active streak in the NFL. They are 20-1 under GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman when leading at halftime.
Sherman, meanwhile, owns a 27-12 overall record in regular-season competition, a mark identical to that of Vince Lombardi after his first 39 games as Green Bay's head coach (1959-62).
The Packers are in the middle of a 34-day stretch without a road game. That's the team's longest continuous time in Wisconsin since 1963, when the Packers played their first four games at home and didn't hit the road until an Oct. 13 tilt at Minnesota; the schedule makers also granted similar homestands to Atlanta, the N.Y. Jets, San Francisco and Tampa Bay this season.
THE FAVRE FILE: Because of his "early" departure from Sunday's game against the Redskins, Brett Favre did not add to his collection of statistical records. In lieu of such accomplishments, he had to be content with making additional Packers and NFL history for his remarkable durability.
Playing in his 166th consecutive game, he tied Willie Wood (1960-71) for the second-longest such streak in team annals. He now trails only Forrest Gregg (1956, '58-70), holder of the club record, who played in 187 consecutive games.
Favre also was making his 164th consecutive start, thus extending his NFL record for quarterbacks.
GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman, asked to address the subject of Favre's remarkable durability during his post-game press conference, declared, "I think of all the things Brett Favre has done, that's the most amazing statistic...Of all the things he's accomplished in this game, I mean that's something I don't think anybody will ever, ever get close to."
THE GREEN FILE: Running back Ahman Green, also continuing to make substantial inroads in the Packers record book, advanced to ninth place on the team's career rushing list, moving past Donny Anderson. Green, who gained 88 yards in 24 attempts, now has rushed for 3,202 yards. Anderson (1966-71) now ranks 10th with 3,165 rushing yards.
Green, who closed out Sunday's game with 100 yards of total offense, including 3 pass receptions for 12 yards, also scored three rushing touchdowns in a game for the first time in his career.
The latter lifted him into 34th place on the Packers' career list with 174 points, passing tight end Ed West (158) and running back Tom Moore (162) in the process.
THE (NFL) STATISTICAL UPDATE: Having added a net of three "acquisitions" to their season-long total in their weekend victory over Washington, the Packers have swelled their league lead in the key takeaway-giveaway table to a plus-12.
They have gleaned a league-high 23 takeaways (12 interceptions and 11 recoveries of opponent fumbles) compared to 11 giveaways (8 lost fumbles and 3 opponent interceptions).
Arizona, Philadelphia and San Francisco in the NFC and Kansas City in the AFC are next up, each with a plus-6 reading.
Green Bay is on pace for 53 takeaways this season, one shy of the 1981 team record, 54. The Packers are also on pace for a 28 turnover ratio, two better than the 1943 club record, 26.
The Packers rank first in the league with just three interceptions in 249 attempts (1.2 percent). Defensively, Green Bay ranks first in the league with 12 interceptions in 228 opponent attempts (5.3 percent).
Sixteenth a week ago defensively, the Packers have advanced to 12th place (22nd against the run, ninth against the pass). They are eighth offensively (12th in rushing and eighth in passing), after ranking fifth overall a week earlier. Just a month ago the Packers ranked 21st in the league.
Despite being forced to leave the Washington game early in the third quarter because of a knee injury, quarterback Brett Favre remained the league's leader in passing with a 102.0 rating (based upon 153 completions in 233 attempts for 1,706 yards and 14 touchdowns, with only 3 interceptions).
Favre also ranks fifth in the NFC in third-down passing with an 85.6 rating based upon 39 completions in 65 attempts for 463 yards and 2 touchdowns, with one interception, and sixth in fourth-quarter passing with an 86.7 rating, based upon 27 completions in 43 attempts for 253 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions.
Teammate Ahman Green continues to hold second place in NFC rushing with 640 yards in 143 attempts, a 4.5-yard average, and third place in total yards from scrimmage with 797.
The New Orleans Saints' Deuce McAllister leads the conference in rushing with 721 yards in 154 attempts and the St. Louis Rams' Marshall Faulk leads in yards from scrimmage with 934.
Green also is tied with teammate Donald Driver, among others, for fifth place in NFC non-kicker scoring with 30 points, and with Washington's Stephen Davis for third in the production of first downs with 35 (28 rushes, 7 receptions).
Placekicker Ryan Longwell leads NFC scoring with 65 points, having made all 23 of his conversion attempts and 14 of 19 field goal attempts.
Driver ranks ninth among NFC receivers with 32 receptions (for 527 yards, a 16.5-yard average) and 5 touchdowns. He also stands fourth in the NFC in receiving yards.
Although sidelined for the past two games with a hamstring injury, safety Darren Sharper is tied for second in interceptions with 3 and fellow defenders Marques Anderson and Mike McKenzie are tied for ninth with 2.
Cornerback Tod McBride is tied for fourth in fumble recoveries with 2.
Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who recorded his fourth and fifth sacks of the season against Washington Sunday, is tied for seventh in the NFC.
THE PLAYER PERSPECTIVE:
Quarterback Brett Favre: (on how he feels) "Not too bad, all things considering."
(on whether he'll be able to play Nov. 4 vs. Dolphins) "It's an injury, from what I understand, it is possible to play with, especially since we don't play again for two weeks. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm going to play. I expect to, but it's just kind of a wait and see thing...and rehab...and see how it feels."
(on the play on which he was injured) "I was trying to get my foot out from underneath me. Fortunately, it's not as bad as it may have looked or felt. Yeah, I knew I was...I've never been in that position before."
(on the injury itself) "A sprained knee. I've got to do some more tests tomorrow - MRI. I'm not real familiar with knees - LCL or something like that."
(on the play of Doug Pederson, was he proud of him?) "Absolutely. That's what this team expects of Doug. I know he expects that out of himself. I was upset for a couple reasons - that I couldn't play anymore - there wasn't concern at all from my standpoint that Doug could do the job and I think everyone felt that way. He came in, even though we had the lead, in really a tough spot. Regardless of what people think, Washington's defense is very good...very good. That's not the problem with their team. To come in that situation, with the game still in question, to play the way he did... As he came in the locker room afterwards, I, as well as everyone else, told him how good a job he did. But like I said, that's what's expected of Doug. He knew we could do it and he did."
(on his initial concerns after being injured) "The main concern was how severe the injury was. I felt like I could go back in, wanted to go back in, but like I said, I'm not familiar with knee injuries. Dr. McKenzie, on the sideline, did some tests and told me that possibly there was a tear, if not a tear in the LCL and the ramifications of going back out with that tear, you'd basically leave the ACL wide open for injury and obviously you tear that and you're done. As much as I wanted to play, that information there was enough to not fight it. I played for so long and avoided serious injury for such a long time to have to come out of any game, whether or not you play the following week, is upsetting. It's almost expected, not only for myself, but from everyone else, that you'll be there. When you're not, it's not that I don't feel like I'm contributing anymore or lost for any period of time, it's just, 'What do you do now?' No one wants to leave with an injury, whether it be for a career or for a game, and I think from my standpoint, if there's one person in this league who really doesn't want to leave with an injury, it's me. I know it happens, but it's still tough to digest."
(on how much pain he's feeling now) "It's not real painful now, it was more painful when it actually happened. That's the deceiving part of it. Once I got to the sideline, it felt a little bit better, which I understand knee injuries are kind of that way. It still hurts and it's real stiff right now. The concern is that even though there is a little bit of pain, you have no stability. Whatever ligament is torn, you lose stability there and then further damage is done easily by no stability. When Dr. McKenzie said that, I understood. He said there would probably be more pain, probably not as bad as the initial injury, but there will be more pain tomorrow, more stiffness, more swelling. It's more of a 2 or 3 day period and then it's more strengthening - to see if the ligament can come back."
Running back Ahman Green: (on his performance) "It's what I call a hard work day. I put the hard hat on and the offensive line did too and we did what we had to do. It was easy-going in the first half and they kind of stiffened up their defense in the second half but still with the injuries, with Brett going down, we still had to put points on the board and make sure we won this game. Offensively we did that and the defense did an outstanding job keeping them out of the end zone, just letting them kick field goals all day. You'll win the game when they're kicking field goals and you're scoring touchdowns."
(on reaction to Favre going down) "Just hoping that it's not too bad, nothing too serious, that he gets back. With this bye week, he'll get a chance to rehab and strengthen and get healthy a lot easier than trying to practice with five days to rest and then all of the sudden you're playing Sunday. The bye week couldn't have come at a better time. I know he's a warrior like myself and he's going do whatever he can to get on the field."
(on the running game's success in the first half) "I really don't know. Washington's defense stiffened up and they thought they could get into more of a groove with the blitzing and seeing that it got Brett out of the game, that's probably why it gave them extra incentive to keep coming at us with the blitz with Doug back there, try to rattle him. But he's a veteran. Nothing pretty much rattles Doug."
Quarterback Doug Pederson: (on going in) "I just had reassure the guys that everything was going to be fine. We couldn't let that injury, or Brett being out of the game, affect us in any way. It something to which the guys really responded well and did a heck of a job."
(on coming in 'cold') "Outside of being physically cold, from standing tonight, I warmed up really quick. It was a situation where you don't have time to think, you just go in and react and play. The guys really responded well to me."
(on when he realized that Favre would be out of the game) "As soon as he got hit. I really expected that he was coming out of the game, fully. I turned and ran and went back and got my helmet and the coaches were hollering for me to get my helmet. It looked pretty bad from the sideline, so I knew right away that I was going in."
(on his role as a backup) "You're into the game anyway. As a backup quarterback, that's your responsibility to stay involved in the football game. Nobody expects that, but as a backup, you're one snap away from entering the game. It was one play and you're in the ballgame. For me I think it was easier because I was on the sideline charting defenses like I do each and every week so I had a great anticipation of what they were going to do on defense and I just knew had to go play. I didn't have time to get nervous or all riled up under those circumstances."
(on the third-down completion to Walker) "The defense did a heck of a job and gave us some opportunities inside their 50-yard line and we had to capitalize on a lot of situations. It was really a great situation to take advantage of and got us down and got a field goal out of the deal and that was big play in the game as was William on the other play in the flat. That's what a backup has to do. You've got to come in and try to be as efficient as possible and gain the confidence, of not only the offense, but of the whole team and move the football."
Linebacker Na'il Diggs: (on the defensive game plan) "We had a little different game plan coming in because we had a rookie quarterback coming into a loud situation like Lambeau. We tried to mix it up on him. We had a lot of guys make big plays and we were able to do a real good job of keeping him off balance."
(on the importance of volume in the stadium) "The fans played a huge part in tonight's win. They really helped us keep (Ramsey) off balance. He wasn't able to make his checks properly, guys weren't able to communicate very well, it just really helped us out."
(on all the forced fumbles) "That's something we work hard on in practice every day. We really stress the importance of getting our hands on the ball, day in and day out. We don't go nice on the takeaway situation, and I think we all understand what a big equation that is in whether or not we win."
Linebacker Nate Wayne: (on his forced fumble and recovery) "That was a play that has been a long time coming. Last week I missed one, and this week I just wanted to make sure that if the opportunity presented itself, I'd capitalize. We all really made sure we mixed things up to create those opportunities. It presented itself, I made the play, Packers got the ball, Packers win, end of story. "
(on the ability of the defense to keep the Redskins off balance) "We just tried to keep them confused, I think we did an alright job. Yeah, we gave up a lot of yards rushing, but overall we were able to keep them out of the end zone, and we get to come back tomorrow and watch film, and get better."
Defensive tackle Gilbert Brown: (on the overall defensive performance) "We just all showed up to play, we came out knowing that we had an opportunity to make some things happen, and I think we were able to do a good enough job. We did well enough to win and that's all we needed."
(on the forced fumble) "It's a big thing when people can make plays. I just tried to do my part. I went in hard and just tried to make something happen. We got a lot of help from the fans, and that's what I feed off of. They were out there screaming and yelling, and we just all got wrapped up with that. They were more than a 12th man tonight, they helped us in every way."
Wide receiver Javon Walker: (on his clutch third-down catch in the third quarter) "It was a great play-call that just opened up a hole in the defense for us. We just wanted to keep the chains moving at that time and wanted to build some confidence for us. Doug (Pederson) came in and made a great throw, and that kind of pumped us up for the rest of the game."
Offensive lineman Mike Flanagan: (on his start at left tackle) "I did enough to get the job done. I know when I take a look at the tape, I'll see I made a lot of mistakes, but I think overall I did alright. It was enough to get a win."
(on his overall performance against Bruce Smith) "I mean, you've got to be honest about this, he's one of the greatest of all time, and at best I'm an average tackle. I'm a lot more comfortable on the inside, but this is the way it had to go. Coach asked me to do this, and I'm just here to help any way I can."
Cornerback Tyrone Williams: (on his first career sack) "It felt great. It's nice to finally have it happen. Coach has called my number many times in the game, and we run it a lot, it's just that teams are always looking for it and are able to pick it up. Tonight just seemed to be my turn to make it happen. It's a good feeling to get that taken care of."
Kicker Ryan Longwell: (on his kick before and after the Washington challenge) "Well obviously I wasn't to happy to see it pulled off the board after it went in. (Kickers) are not programmed to make the same kick more than once. It's not like a punt where you get a better read after the first one. I'm glad I was able to do it twice."
(on his overall performance) "I felt just like I have the last couple weeks, it's just that I knew how the wind was a little better here, and a couple other factors just really helped me tonight. I always try to feel confident, but what can I say -- there's nothing like home sweet home!"
NOTE-WORTHY:
-The Packers now own a three-win advantage in their rivalry with the Redskins. They now have won 15 of 28 meetings, lost 12 and tied one.
-Brett Favre received a standing ovation from the record Lambeau Field crowd (63,363) as he left the field on a cart after being injured in the third quarter.
-It marked only the fourth time Favre has been forced to leave a game because of injury during his 12-year NFL career. The record: The first such development occurred on Oct. 20, 1994, when he left a game against the Vikings at the Minneapolis Metrodome after the first quarter with a severely bruised left hip; the second also at Minnesota, on Nov. 5, 1995, when he left the contest in the third quarter with an ankle injury; and the third at Tampa Bay on Nov. 12, 2000, when he left the game in the third quarter after suffering an ankle sprain.
-Favre had completed his first five passes in Sunday's game and, prior to leaving the game, had hit on 11 of 14 attempts for a 78.6 percentage, his best of the season.
-Favre, however, saw his streak of seven consecutive games in which he has thrown a touchdown pass come to an end. He last went without one on December 30, 2001, against the Minnesota Vikings.
-The Packers' six sacks of Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey are the most they have posted in a single game since November 4, 2001, when they harvested seven (for 44 yards in losses) in a 21-20 victory over Tampa Bay in Lambeau Field.
-Doug Pederson's initial passing attempt in the second quarter of Sunday's game - occasioned when a high snap from center prompted him to abort a Ryan Longwell field goal attempt and essay a pass - was his first since the 2000 season when he was with the Cleveland Browns. The pass was incomplete.
-The Redskins gambled - and lost - against a tightfisted Packers defense late in the second quarter. With fourth down-and inches at the packers' 45-yard line, nose tackle Gilbert Brown and end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila converged to smother a sneaking quarterback Patrick Ramsey for no gain.
-After harvesting 4 fumble recoveries against the Redskins, the Packers own a plus-14 turnover advantage for their last 5 games.
-Fullback Tony Carter, a "designated" blocker on the Packers' kickoff return team, found himself a returner Sunday, running back a pair of kickoffs ford a 21.0-yard average.
-Matt Bowen was deprived of an interception in the second quarter when it was nullified by illegal contact penalty levied upon fellow defender Tod McBride.
-Center Mike Flanagan made his first NFL start at offensive tackle, stepping in at the left perimeter for the injured Chad Clifton.
-It may not be a record, but three penalties were called on the Redskins on one play in the second quarter - for holding, pass interference and a face-mask infraction.
-Speaking of penalties, the 10 first downs by penalty in Sunday's contest (6 of them assessed to the Packers and 4 to the Redskins) were the most ever in a Packers game. The previous record, 9, was set in a game against Detroit in 1999, and equaled against Detroit last season.
-The Packers' 243 yards of offense represented their lowest total of the season.
-Though the final score might suggest otherwise, the Redskins had the football for 64 plays, the Packers for "only" 55.
-The Packers were represented by five co-captains at Sunday's pre-game coin toss - quarterback Brett Favre and fullback William Henderson (offense), tackles Gilbert Brown and Cletidus Hunt (defense) and wide receiver Karsten Bailey (special teams).
-Packers inactives Sunday included offensive tackle Clad Clifton, running back Najeh Davenport, defensive backs Antuan Edwards, Mike McKenzie and Darren Sharper, defensive end Vonnie Holliday, tight end Tyrone Davis and designated Third Quarterback Craig Nall.
