Chad

Clifton

Green Bay’s left tackle hadn’t practiced to this point. LB Brady Poppinga (knee) and S Marquand Manuel (calf) also returned to practice.

Considered the foundation of Green Bay’s shaky line, the Packers would be in big trouble if Clifton’s problems stretch into the regular season. They’ve already lost one tackle for the season.

He underwent knee and ankle surgery during the offseason. Green Bay’s line was shaky last year and having their anchor missing summer workouts while they change schemes won’t help.

It sounds like a tear. McCarthy confirmed Clifton “will be out weeks,” as the Packers are apparently targeting a late-season return. Marshall Newhouse will be the interim left tackle, with Bryan Bulaga expected to stay on the left side. Rookie Derek Sherrod is now the swing tackle. Newhouse held up well after Clifton’s injury in Week 5.

The play Clifton was injured on appeared fairly innocuous, but he remained down on the field for several minutes before being helped to the sidelines. His return is considered doubtful after he was carted to the locker room. He’s been replaced by Marshall Newhouse, who was already filling in for injured RT Bryan Bulaga. First-round pick Derek Sherrod is now in the game at right tackle. Protecting Aaron Rodgers could be a challenge for the Packers tonight.

The Packers won’t even know a realistic timetable on Clifton for another couple of weeks. Still, there’s no intent of placing him on injured reserve. Aaron Rodgers’ blind-side protector should return in time to gear up for another Super Bowl run.

This is just speculation as the Packers gave no indication on the severity of Clifton’s pull. But based on how much pain Clifton was in, a Grade 2 strain is certainly not out of the question. Marshall Newhouse, who handled himself superbly last night after Clifton went down, projects as Aaron Rodgers’ blind-side protector for the next few weeks.

Green Bay is already “anywhere from” $10-$13 million under the cap, but parting with Clifton and Driver before March 5 would free up enough money to franchise tag Matt Flynn. It’s a move beat writer Tom Silverstein expects the Packers to make. Regardless of what they do with Flynn, Clifton and Driver are candidates for release and may not be welcomed back at lower salaries.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it’s “uncertain” whether Clifton will play again after February back surgery, though he was present for the beginning of the Packers’ offseason program last week. He was reportedly feeling “much better.” The move clears roughly $5.7 million in cap space. Clifton was limited to six games by hamstring and back injuries last season, and was benched for ineffectiveness in the Divisional Round loss to the Giants. He made 160 starts for the Pack since being a second-round pick in 2000. Marshall Newhouse will be the heavy favorite to replace Clifton on Aaron Rodgers’ blind side.