The Green Bay Packers returned to Clarke Hinkle Field Saturday for the last two-a-day practice before their first preseason game with the Kansas City Chiefs Monday Night.
Wide receiver Donald Driver, who became a first-time father Wednesday, was back with the team but did not practice, instead working out and running inside the Don Hutson Center.
"It was pretty hard (to leave his new son), " Driver said. "But this is first and foremost, my job. My wife will take care of my little baby. My mother-in-law will be coming in town and then my mom will be in the next weekend after that, so I'll have someone to take care of them while I'm at work."
Driver also has been nursing a sore hamstring and will not play Monday, but will travel with the team to Canton, Ohio.
"I was wishing (that I could play)," Driver said. "But the hamstring was just not to the point where it was ready to go. I just would rather not push it until it's time. I don't want to miss the first game of the (regular) season trying to push more in the preseason.
"I'm going to the game. I've got to cheer my guys on. I know if I can't play, then those guys are going to do a great job."
Driver is hopeful that he can make his return during one of the Packers' next two games, either at Atlanta Aug. 9, or at Cleveland Aug. 15.
Due to the ever-growing list of injuries, four players worked at alternate positions Saturday. Running back Tony Fisher and linebacker Torrance Marshall each took snaps at fullback while linebacker Tony Donald took snaps at tight end. Bill Ferrario moved from the guard position to center.
In team drills, Carl Ford continued his solid play at receiver, eluding defenders along the left sideline to make a 15-yard reception.
Quarterback Akili Smith got some help from Kamau Peterson, who made a diving catch along the right sideline for a 25-yard pickup.
Moving inside the red zone, cornerback Bhawoh Jue made a great play to get around Ford, batting down a pass from Brett Favre in the front corner of the end zone.
On the ensuing play, Ford and quarterback Doug Pederson connected in almost the exact same spot for a 15-yard touchdown.
In two-minute drills, Smith took advantage of a big play to lead the offense to the end zone for the second day in a row. This time it was Peterson on the other end of the 50-yard touchdown pass along the right sideline.
In the afternoon practice, the Packers stayed indoors at the Don Hutson Center as Donald settled into his new position by grabbing a 30-yard pass from Smith in the middle of the field.
Brett Favre found Bubba Franks streaking to his right across the back of the end zone during goal line drills, while Craig Nall connected with Cory Geason on a similar play to the opposite side of the field.
Al Harris intercepted an errant pass from Smith along the right sideline. Smith, whose arm was hit on the throw, looked as if he injured his hand on the play, but later returned to the rotation.
The Packers will have a brief walkthrough practice inside Lambeau Field Sunday before making the trip to Canton. Sunday's practice is closed to the public.
The next public practice will be Wednesday when the Packers return to Clarke Hinkle Field for two workouts: 8:45-11:15 a.m. (pads) and 2:15-3:15 p.m. (special teams).
Where: Clarke Hinkle Field
Weather: 78 degrees
Did Not Participate: Donald Driver (hamstring), Robert Ferguson (tailbone), Jorg Heckenbach (kidneys), Joey Knapp (hamstring), James Lee (hip), David Martin (hamstring), Terdell Sands (ankle), Lamar Smith (knee), Adam Tate (knee), Rod Walker (shoulder), Steve Warren (back), Reggie White (knee).
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