When John Kuhn rolled his ankle and had to leave Monday's practice, Mike McCarthy cut out the final, 20 minute team period, much to the delight of the squad. It's not a laughing matter. Kuhn's sprain left the offense with really, two and a half running backs. Marc Tyler, fullback Nic Cooper and Alex Green, who's still on a limited rep count coming off knee surgery from a year ago. There's another running back in wait however, as Cedric Benson joined the team on Ray Nitschke field. The former Chicago number one pick and 3000 yard rusher for the Cincinnati Bengals wore number 32 but because of the new CBA, can only work in shorts and a helmet for the first two days. He won't don pads until after the Browns game Thursday night. The team was also missing M.D. Jennings and Ryan Pickett on Monday, excused to take of personal matters. Add those names to the list of walking wounded, it's amazing the Packers are getting anything done these days. McCarthy however said it was an excellent practice with the healthy bodies. Marshall Newhouse returned for the first time since his concussion on family night and promptly reclaimed the starting left tackle job. In a no huddle period, it took Aaron Rodgers three snaps to cover 70 yards for a score. The first pass went incomplete, the second connected with Jordy Nelson on the sideline and the third was a post to Jordy who burned Jarrett Bush inside and coasted into the end zone. Over the first two weeks of camp, right tackle Bryan Bulaga rarely lost a one on one pass protection drill rep. Number one pick Nick Perry got his attention last week when he bowled him onto his rear and it happened again Monday. Perry continues to get better moving forward toward the quarterback, he had a sack against the Chargers last Thursday night, the running in space thing as a cover linebacker still needs a lot of work. On the link below, the arrival of Cedric Benson is chronicled with quotes from McCarthy, Rodgers and the new man in the backfield.
Packers get Benson in town


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