[Packers] Notebook: Davenport, Luchey improve, but Green’s status remains iffy

By Pete Dougherty
PackersNews.com

The Packers’ prospects at running back are picking up some as the week goes on, but whether they’ll have starter Ahman Green for Monday night’s game against St. Louis might be up in the air until game day.

Backup halfback Najeh Davenport practiced for the second straight day Friday, and though he’s not at full speed, he said his injured left hamstring feels about the same as his right hamstring did when he returned from that injury in Week 5.

Coach Mike Sherman is listing Davenport as probable (75 percent chance of playing) on the Packers’ injury report.

“I think I can play, but it’s up to coach,” Davenport said.

Fullback Nick Luchey returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday because of a shoulder injury.

Whether he’ll be healthy enough to withstand contact is another matter, and he remains listed as questionable (50 percent chance of playing).

Green hasn’t practiced all week because of sprained ribs and also is questionable. His status for Monday night depends on his upper-body mobility and whether he can withstand hits to his midsection, which the Packers might not know until as late as Monday.

If Green can’t play, Davenport or No. 3 halfback Tony Fisher will be the starting halfback, and newly signed James Jackson will be available as a backup.

No. 4 halfback Walter Williams (ankle) also didn’t practice and is listed as questionable.

Other injuries: Two other players, backup tight end David Martin (knee) and backup linebacker Torrance Marshall (hamstring), sat out. Martin is listed as questionable and Marshall as probable.

Safeties Darren Sharper (knee) and Michael Hawthorne (ankle) both practiced and are probable.

Rams update: Though the Rams’ best receiver, Torry Holt, is listed as questionable because of a knee injury, he practiced Friday and is nearly a sure bet to play against the Packers.

The Rams, however, probably won’t have their No. 3 cornerback, Dejuan Groce, who hasn’t practiced and is doubtful (25 percent chance of playing) because of a knee injury. He had been playing in their dime defense and will be replaced in that role by recently signed Antuan Edwards, a former Packers first-round draft pick.

Starting guard Chris Dishman (knee) is out.

Security: The NFL sent a memo to its teams this week reminding them of their security obligations and has scheduled a teleconference for security directors on Tuesday to go over league guidelines. That’s in wake of the brawl last week between players and spectators at the NBA game between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.

Jerry Parins, the Packers’ director of corporate security, said the Packers haven’t had any major problems with fans while on the road this season.

“The conference call is just for reviewing policies and what we stress,” Parins said.

“It’s a concern for all the sports.”