Click here for the full Tuesday injury report.
The Green Bay Packers are playing their third game in 11 days Thursday night when they take on the Detroit Lions on the road.
That tight time frame, along with an injury list of 10 players and others simply battling the nicks and bruises of a football season, lead to decisions like Mike McCarthy's to rest players he might normally have practice this week.
One example: linebacker Julius Peppers, who missed Monday's practice though he had no specified injury.
"It was a coach's decision. He obviously doesn't like to miss practice...a decision we had to make," said McCarthy.
He also discussed how tackle Bryan Bulaga is recovering from an ankle injury. He also missed on Monday.
"He's still working through some things," as McCarthy explained. "We've got a bunch of guys who are banged up."
"You have to be realistic about the timeframe these guys are going through. An extra day or two is important."
The Packers are also hopeful to have the entire offensive line healthy for Thursday - something that has not always been the case this year due to numerous injuries.
McCarthy also talked about the need to control a Detroit Lions team that has suddenly had an offensive renaissance. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was very turnover prone during Detroit's 1-7 start, has a 7-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in Detroit's current three-game winning streak.
"You've got to pressure the quarterback, get him off his spot...it's important," said McCarthy, but he says to focus on the Lions' running game, too.
"They've got three backs who can really play (Ameer Abdullah, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick who have combined for 1,383 total offensive yards this season)...have a unique set of skills. We've got to do a real good job of stopping those guys."
