On the Mend: Packers' Ailing Secondary Beginning To Heal

Atari Bigby: strained hamstring. Charles Woodson: broken toe. Al Harris: ruptured spleen. Nick Collins: back contusion. Aaron Rouse: concussion. Pat Lee: back spasms. The injuries go on and on.

It's been quite a tumultuous start to the season, to say the least, for the Green Bay Packers' defensive backfield. However, it looks like Green Bay may be inching closer and closer to getting their entire starting secondary back for the first time since Week Two.

Bigby, who strained his hamstring in the Week Two win at Detroit, practiced lightly for the first time since the injury Thursday and could be ready to play Sunday. Meanwhile, Harris, whose spleen injury could have ended his career, is on track to return to the starting lineup Nov. 2 when Green Bay plays Tennessee.

Collins appears to have recovered from his back contusion and was taken off the injury report for the first time since suffered the injury against Dallas. Rouse was also taken off the injury report and should be ready for action Sunday. Lee returned to light work in practice this week after shaking off back spasms that have plagued the rookie this season.

Even Woodson played without a pain-killing injection for the first time last Sunday, and it appears his toe injury is healing without taking any game action off. If everything plays out right, the Packers could be back to full strength in their secondary following their bye next week.

Bigby's return has been long-awaited since he hurt his hamstring in the first half of Week Two. The Packers' safety has failed numerous running tests, but he finally passed his most recent test Wednesday.

"It was great that he finally passed his test yesterday," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I know he's been frustrated with the injury. It was a big hurdle for him, and hopefully we can get him ready for Sunday."

While Bigby is far from a sure thing Sunday, McCarthy knows the importance of Bigby's return to Packers' practice.

"It's good to have him back out there," McCarthy added. "He was able to get some work, and we'll see how he responds to it. It's been a while. I know he was anxious to get out."

Harris' return might not come Sunday, but any return from him this season will have already exceeded his initial diagnosis. McCarthy has been cautious with Harris, who, if he returns Nov. 2, will have only missed four games.

"He just wants to get back to the level of conditioning that he was in before the injury," McCarthy said. "Hopefully we'll start giving him some reps where he can interact and get in football shape. Really, the plan for Al this week is conditioning and then hopefully we'll do more football-involved aspects next week and going into the Tennessee week."

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