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Robert Ferguson told the AP Thursday he will be able to play against the Cardinals, but top receiver Donald Driver said it will be up to head coach Mike Sherman and the medical staff to make a decision on his status.
Sherman has closed practice to reporters, but Ferguson said he took part in the entire practice Thursday and lined up with the starting unit.
Ferguson missed Wednesday's practice for treatment on a sprained ligament in his right knee. He reported no setbacks after engaging in some contact Thursday.
He aggravated the knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Packers' win over Detroit last Sunday and is listed on the injury report as probable for the game at Arizona.
Ferguson also has a sprained right ankle stemming from the Packers' season-opening loss to Minnesota on Sept. 7.
"It showed I could get out there and run around," Ferguson said. "I felt fine. I'm good (for Sunday)."
Driver, meanwhile, wasn't sure if he'll be cleared to play Sunday.
For a second day, the Pro Bowl receiver was relegated to running routes and catching passes from No. 3 quarterback Craig Nall, away from the team segments of practice.
Driver had been sidelined since straining his neck and sustaining a concussion on a frightening fall while trying to make a catch late in the season opener.
Listed as questionable for Sunday's game, Driver said the decision on whether he'll suit up rests with the medical staff and Sherman.
"I'm just doing what they say. If they say, `Run routes,' I run routes," Driver said after Thursday's practice.
Although he hasn't been subjected to contact in the two days of practice this week, Driver said he doesn't necessarily need to absorb contact before playing in a game again.
"Contact is contact," Driver said. "Receivers don't get contact all year long (in practice). So, whenever they decide to let me have some contact, I'll get it."
If Driver isn't cleared to play Sunday, he'll likely be ready for the Sept. 29 game at Chicago.
Javon Walker, who replaced Driver in the lineup last Sunday, has continued to work as the starting flanker in practice.
Which brings up the following. ...
In an article published Monday, Pro Football Weekly suggested that once Driver fully recovers his injury, Antonio Freeman’s stay in Green Bay could be tentative.
All of Freeman’s $453,000 contract is guaranteed, but Freeman signed with the Packers because he wants to play. Sherman warned Freeman that he has "three young guys" he likes a lot -- referencing Driver, Ferguson and Walker.
Freeman signed, though, after Sherman’s declaration that the best three receivers will play, gambling that Sherman would choose Freeman’s reliability and knowledge of the offense over the potential of Walker, which comes with questions.
According to PFW, some team officials believe Walker is behind in his development because he lacks confidence in his hands, is not a disciplined route runner -- taboo when trying to get on Brett Favre’s good side -- has not displayed elusiveness in the open field and does not adjust well to the deep ball.
Scouts say Walker has all of the skills to succeed and he clearly has the measurables and some believe all he needs is an extended opportunity to show them off.
By the way. ... PFW summed up their piece by stating if he's squeezed out of the rotation, "there are indications from Freeman’s past that he may pout and turn into a locker-room pariah, at which point he would be cut."