Packers' Bryan Bulaga out again

Updated: October 7, 2011, 5:55 PM ET
Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga will not play Sunday at Atlanta, missing his second straight game with a knee injury.

The team announced the decision Friday and said Marshall Newhouse will again start in Bulaga's place. Running back Ryan Grant (kidney bruise), wide receiver Donald Driver (leg), linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) and cornerback Charles Woodson were listed as probable to play.

Matthews hasn't practiced this week because of the injury.

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"Clay Matthews' medical situation is based on the treatment that he's received earlier in the week," coach Mike McCarthy said. "With the treatment, it's best that he does not practice."

As long as Matthews is healthy to play and produce on game day, which is the team's expectation for him again Sunday night, defensive end Ryan Pickett is among those who are OK with Matthews being out of practice.

"We know he will be ready for the game," Pickett said. "He's proven that he cannot practice and play well. So, we're not worried about that. We just want him to be 100 percent for the game."

Bulaga isn't to that point yet, at least in the estimation of team doctor Pat McKenzie.

McCarthy provided some levity as he discussed injuries Friday, calling himself "Doctor McCarthy" at one point.

When a question about Bulaga's status was asked, McCarthy answered, "Doctor McKenzie's got to deal with Doctor Bulaga on that one. That's not gone very well. He's champing at the bit to get out there."

Bulaga has been sidelined since suffering a sprain and bruise of his left knee in the Sept. 25 win at Chicago.

"Bryan wants to play," McCarthy said. "He feels he's ready to go, and Pat is concerned. Until that comes together, Bryan will not be on the field. I think Bryan definitely has a chance next week."

Woodson, who turned 35 Friday, is being held to only one day of practice each week because of recurring foot and knee soreness. He had limited work in Friday's practice.

"That's been the routine for Charles Woodson and definitely gives him the opportunity to get his body back and respond accordingly and play well on Sundays," McCarthy said.

Notes

A power outage in the area around Lambeau Field forced the Packers out of their indoor facility to an adjacent field outside. "That's the first time since I've been playing football something like that happened," said Pickett, an 11th-year pro. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn was getting ready to lead the scout-team offense against the starting defense just as the indoor facility went dark. "It was funny," Flynn said. "We've got a bunch of jokesters on the team, heard a bunch of ghost noises and stuff like that when it went out." ... LB Frank Zombo won't make his season debut Sunday after returning to practice this week. Zombo had been out since suffering a broken shoulder blade in warm-ups before a preseason game Aug. 19. "Just watching Frank Zombo this week, I would be hopeful that he'd be fully released next week," McCarthy said. "Doctor McCarthy thinks he's ready to go. So, we'll see how Doctor McKenzie views it."


Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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