GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Monday that he expects Na'il Diggs to be in the lineup against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, but not without undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) just to be safe.
The Packers' starting weak-side linebacker, who hasn't missed a game since his rookie season of 2000, sprained his medical collateral ligament (MCL) Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
"We don't think it's significant," Sherman said of the injury. "We're going to do an MRI just to check on it, just to make sure. He'll be listed as probable this week more than likely, unless something comes up with the MRI."
Despite suffering the injury, Diggs is coming off what he considers to be one of his finest performances as a pro, notching eight solo tackles and three passes defensed in the Packers' 31-6 victory.
The only returning starter in the linebacker corps from the 2002 season, Diggs moved to the weak side this season, replacing Nate Wayne. Former Carolina Panther Hannibal Navies has taken over Diggs' vacated strong-side spot, with rookie Nick Barnett roaming in the middle.
Against the Lions, Diggs (8), Barnett (12) and Navies (4) combined to make 24 of the Packers' 48 solo stops.
"We played very fast, very smart, didn't make too many mistakes at all," Diggs said Monday. "We ran around and made plays."
It's unknown how much Diggs will practice this week, but he plans to be on the field at Sun Devil Stadium this weekend.
"I never missed a game in college, I've never planned on missing one in the pros," Diggs said. "I just don't like missing games at all. I like playing. That's what I do."
Ferguson Hopes To Play
The ankle is improving, but third-year wide receiver Robert Ferguson's injured right knee isn't any better.
Ferguson aggravated his sprained MCL -- originally sustained in the season opener, Sept. 7 -- in the Packers-Lions game Sunday.
"Tweaked it a little bit," Sherman explained Monday. "I would say he's not as good today as he was before the game ... Hopefully he'll be able to make some comeback this week and be able to play again."
Thirty minutes prior to kickoff last Sunday, Ferguson thought he was going to have to scratch himself from the lineup. But after putting a heating pad on his knee, Ferguson determined he could play and went on to make three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Going into the game, Ferguson's injuries had allowed him to practice only Friday and Saturday, the latter a brief walkthrough practice.
Ferguson said Monday that his knee is stiff and sore, but hopes to get more practice time than he did a week ago.
"I don't want to do that again," Ferguson said. "I'd rather practice as much as I can, because it took me a little time to get into the flow of the game."
Walls Iffy
Sherman said it's too soon to tell whether veteran tight end Wesley Walls will play this weekend. Walls aggravated his injured hamstring Sunday.
"It's just a re-occurring hamstring that if he sits out a game may be 100 percent within a week or so," Sherman said. "I think he could be available, but it's going to come down to how available he will be.
"You know, he didn't catch balls in the game (against Detroit), but he made some good blocks and he was a big participant in the game. He helped us win. I hope we have him available this week, but it's too early to tell right now."
Now in his 15th NFL season, Walls said he's eager to prove himself with the Packers.
"That's probably the hardest part," Walls said. "I've been through this before, though. Injuries are part of the game."
