Sore Packers need to bounce back for Thanksgiving night
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Packers celebrated the end of their three-game losing streak and return to the top of the NFC North on the flight home from Minnesota.
Then the reality set in of having to turn around quickly to prepare for another game on Thursday.
A Thanksgiving night game at Lambeau Field against the Chicago Bears awaits coach Mike McCarthy.
And as if that wasn't big enough, the Packers will be unveiling former quarterback Brett Favre's name and retired No. 4 on the north facade inside the stadium at halftime.
''Big picture? We play here Thursday night. It was fun. It was fun in the locker room, it was a fun ride home,'' McCarthy said Monday.
''But the reality is, when you get up in the morning, it's all about Chicago.''
Health-wise, this is not the best time to have such a quick turnaround.
The injury report swelled to 15 players a day after a physical 30-13 win over the Vikings. The Packers didn't practice Monday.
''Yeah, I don't think it's fun. Your body definitely doesn't recover in time,'' said left guard Josh Sitton, who has been playing through a knee injury. ''It's not very fun but we'll gut through it.''
There were two positive signs, though, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) and left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) dropping off the injury report.
Running back Eddie Lacy remains on the injury report, but for his lingering ankle injury instead of the sore groin that sidelined him two games ago against Detroit.
He looked well enough against the Vikings to run for season highs of 100 yards on 22 carries, adding sorely-needed balance for an offense that had been struggling during the three-game skid.
''Eddie played well. I think more importantly he was given more opportunities, that's what running backs need, 22 carries,'' McCarthy said. ''I thought he was decisive and I thought he ran behind his pads.''
Notes: McCarthy said the coaching staff started preparing for the Bears on Friday. ... McCarthy did not rule out the availabilities of starting C Corey Linsley (ankle) or S Micah Hyde (hip) for Thursday night after both players left the Vikings game. Players were due to rehab on Monday, and practice resumes on Tuesday.
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