GREEN BAY - The
Green Bay Packers expect to have linebacker Clay Matthews back in
the lineup Sunday against the Chicago Bears and coach Mike
McCarthy couldn't be happier about it.
"I thought
he looked good all week," McCarthy said Friday after the
Packers held their last practice before the game. "I look for
Clay to play and make an impact in the game."
Matthews
practiced the last three days without incident. The team's top
pass rusher has missed the last four games because of a recurring
hamstring injury.
"It's
different speed when you're out there at game speed, but I think
he's had a good week of practice building up, so I'm anxious to
see him out there playing," defensive coordinator Dom Capers
said.
The first-place
Packers (9-4) are looking to clinch a second straight NFC North
title by beating the second-place Bears (8-5). Capers and McCarthy
both suggested Matthews could have his playing time limited
against Chicago.
"Potentially,"
McCarthy said. "I think it would be smart to watch his reps.
It's something that we've talked about with him personally and
just a number of guys coming back (from injuries). This is a very
important game, but there's more left to be played after this
game."
Green Bay could
be forced to make some more changes on their offensive line. Right
guard Josh Sitton had a hip injury flare up and was held out
Friday. He is questionable for the game.
"After
talking with Josh, I'm not real concerned about it," McCarthy
said.
Offensive lineman
T.J. Lang is probable after missing Green Bay's last game with an
ankle injury. Lang had been moved from left guard to right tackle
after Bryan Bulaga suffered a season-ending hip injury last month.
But Lang might be
returning to his former spot Sunday since the coaches have liked
what they have seen from undrafted rookie Don Barclay at right
tackle after Lang was injured. Lang is in favor of starting again
at left guard.
"That's
obviously where I have the most experience, so that's probably
where I feel most comfortable," he said.
McCarthy,
wouldn't divulge his plans for how the offensive line would shake
out Sunday.
Lang said he took
an equal amount of reps in practice this week at guard and tackle.
Evan Dietrich-Smith, who has been starting at left guard since the
switch of Lang to tackle, also worked some at center and right
guard in practice this week.