Zero2Cool
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By Tom Pelissero
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Two of the Green Bay Packers' most notable training-camp absences could end in the next day or two.
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett on Monday passed the conditioning test he failed last week, and receiver Donald Driver's injured shoulder apparently passed a re-examination Sunday night. Coach Mike McCarthy said he hoped Driver and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly would practice today, with Pickett joining them by Thursday.
Pickett and Jolly have missed four training camp practices since failing a team-conducted running test Friday. They took the same test together Monday and passed, Pickett said.
With flying colors?
"If you can call it flying colors," Pickett said, laughing.
"I made my time, but … any pass is good."
Driver, a surprise scratch because of a lingering right shoulder injury sustained in December, was coy when asked about his latest examination but said he believed he passed the physical.
"Y'all see me out there at 8:45 (a.m.)," Driver said, smiling, "y'all know I'm ready to go."
Wynn fights illness
One moment, running backs coach Edgar Bennett was praising rookie DeShawn Wynn for his work on the blocking sled.
The next, Wynn was lying on his back, stretching and chugging a sports drink as teammates jogged to the next drill.
Such has been camp for Wynn, a seventh-round draft pick who entered the NFL amid questions about his durability and dedication. He missed time in the offseason after sustaining a calf injury in the first practice of rookie minicamp, then reported last week with a stomach illness and has been in and out of drills the past three days.
Monday, Wynn said he lost 10 pounds because of the illness and is struggling with dehydration.
"I'm trying to fight through it," Wynn said, "but I got to try to start eating more, start drinking more and get that weight back."
With starter Vernand Morency likely sidelined at least two weeks because of a knee injury, Wynn's ailment is costing him an opportunity for increased repetitions.
"Anybody that's not practicing is not helping themselves. I think we all know that," McCarthy said.
"He has an illness that he's trying to overcome, and he needs to get back as fast as he can."
After an impressive showing in Brett Favre's absence Sunday morning, backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers was less effective Monday.
He finished 10-for-21 passing in 11-on-11 periods, was intercepted by Charles Woodson on the first play of the blitz period and ended practice by missing badly on a throw to Chris Francies near the goal line.
"I thought he pushed the ball a few times," McCarthy said. "He was a little aggressive with his decisions. But I think Aaron as a whole is throwing the ball very well. He's throwing the ball where he wants to throw it.
"The timing with Aaron and all the young receivers, and Brett will go through the same thing when he gets back, we're going to be a little off. That's why we have training camp."
Odds and ends
Team personnel will transfer equipment from Clarke Hinkle Field to City Stadium in the early afternoon, and Packers players will travel in four buses and arrive shortly before the scheduled 6:30 start for tonight's practice. Temporary seating has been added in the west end zone to push seating to around 4,000, according to the team. … The Packers went through a nearly complete practice Monday despite temperatures around 90 degrees. McCarthy said he trimmed six to eight plays from the final goal-line period after Daniel Muir left with an ankle injury and another defensive tackle dropped out because of the heat. … RB Noah Herron dropped two passes, but McCarthy made a point to praise Herron for his improvement over the last year.
It's comments like this that makem e like Mike more and more. Also, the comment about Vernand's injury was good too!"Anybody that's not practicing is not helping themselves. I think we all know that," McCarthy said.
I'm liking Mike more and more, and liking Ted less and less. lol
