News & Info/Headlines

Driver Returns To Work...
As reported by Packers.com staff writer Jason Bellamy, ten days ago, as he lay motionless on the Lambeau Field turf, Donald Driver's career -- if not also his ability to walk -- appeared in jeopardy.

Now the only thing left to question is whether Driver will play this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Listed as questionable on the team's injury report, but considered "day-to-day" in terms of his comeback attempt from a badly sprained neck, Driver was back on the practice field Wednesday and looking to move forward.

"I feel pretty good right now," said Driver, who until two days ago still was wearing a protective neck brace.

In case you missed it, Driver's current condition stems from a play in the fourth quarter of Green Bay's Sept. 7 opener against the Vikings, when he left his feet to catch a Brett Favre pass, twisted around in the air and came down on his head; a crash so severe that Driver remembers little of it, and refuses to watch a replay.

"I remember jumping up and after that, once I hit the ground, I went blank," Driver said.

When he came to, still lying on the field, Driver was looking into the eyes of team physician Dr. Patrick McKenzie.

Driver was removed from the field on a stretcher. Within hours, the prognosis was positive, and by the next day head coach Mike Sherman predicted that his No. 1 receiver could return as early as this week.

So far, so good. Wednesday, Driver suited up in pads, but the day's practice didn't include any live tackling and Sherman indicated that Driver might be withheld from such situations later in the week.

"Practicing and getting hit are obviously two different situations," Sherman said. "Today simply was to get him out there moving around and to see how his head feels, his neck feels. From that point, we'll just take it day by day."

If Driver doesn't soon demonstrate that he'll be fit to play Sunday, he'll have to be held back in practice as well so the Packers' healthy receivers can get the needed reps. However, if one practice is any indication, Driver appears to be on a fast-track to recovery.

"I thought he looked fine," Favre said. "Had you not known or seen his fall, you would have thought it was just another day at the office for him."

Unless a setback occurs to make him think otherwise, that's just the way Driver is going to treat it.

For now, his participation relies on the approval of doctors, but once cleared to play, the 2002 Pro Bowler vows to be just as aggressive as before.

"They're saying don't jump that high again, but if the ball goes that high, I'm going to have to go get it," Driver said.

"You're always nervous on what's going to happen, but you still have to play this game -- regardless of what situation you're in -- without fear. And that's the way I'm going to play."

Also of interest. ...

Early indications are the status of Robert Ferguson, who aggravated his week-old knee injury against Detroit in the second half, won't be determined until later in the week. ... And Sherman said it was possible the Packers might have to sit Wesley Walls down for a week to let the injured hamstring he aggravated last Sunday heal.

And finally. ...

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, coaches want to keep Ahman Green healthy over the long haul. To do that, they have devised a plan to spell their starter -- who carried 38 times in the first two games combined -- not on certain predetermined series in the game, but only when he’s tired.

They also used second-year running back Tony Fisher regularly on third downs and in a three-receiver set against the Lions. Fisher has good hands, can catch the ball out of the backfield and is an above-average pass blocker.

"He is more than adequate in the first-down situation, but there is a dropoff," running backs coach Sylvester Croom said of Fisher. "But in the third-down situation, we don’t feel like there’s any dropoff."

Croom would like to use Najeh Davenport, the promising second-year prospect, and Green in some first- and second-down situations, but Davenport’s playing time could be in jeopardy because of fumbling problems. He lost the handle on the ball at least two times against the Lions and was benched for a stretch in the middle of the game.

"That’s an issue," offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said. "If you fumble, you’re not going to play. I think Mike sent him that message early. We want to spell Ahman with both Najeh and Fisher. I think he realizes the severity of it. If it continues, he’s not going to play. But after one game, we’ll still give him opportunities."