Rob

Francois

Both players missed the entirety of the second half. Bishop’s injury is considered the more serious of the two. He was sporting crutches after the game and will head for an MRI on Monday. Rookie D.J. Smith replaced Bishop while Rob Francois filled in for Hawk.

The Packers have lost both their starting inside linebackers to calf injuries in this game. Robert Francois replaced Hawk and promptly picked off Matthew Stafford.

Although Smith impressed as an impact run defender in Weeks 12-15 last season, the 2011 sixth-rounder expects Robert Francois to back up “buck” ILB Hawk while he plays behind “mack” ILB Desmond Bishop. “It’s still a middle linebacker, but one position (Hawk’s) has more responsibility than the other,” said Smith. DC Dom Capers is confident, however, that Smith can play either position if needed.

Francois, who turns 28 in May, racked up nine special teams tackles in Green Bay last season. Not a defensive contributor, he’ll play the same role in 2013.

Francois appeared in all 16 games for the Packers last season, but he didn’t play a single snap on defense. The special-teamer recorded 13 tackles, and the $1.323 million low tender is too rich for Green Bay’s taste. However, Francois isn’t ruling out a return at the veteran’s minimum.

The Packers would like to have Crabtree and Francois back, but didn’t deem either worthy of the low restricted free agent cost ($1.323 million). Their interest in retaining Zombo is “uncertain.” Crabtree is a useful blocker. Green Bay may step up efforts to re-sign him if it parts with Jermichael Finley.

It’s a concern because Francois was filling in for Brad Jones, who suffered a hamstring injury. Jamari Lattimore is now in the game opposite A.J. Hawk.

All of the above spent the year on Green Bay’s practice squad. Lumpkin showed some promise as a third-down back in 2009 training camp and will push for a roster spot this summer behind Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson.

Francois was a special teamer and Green Bay’s No. 3 inside ‘backer behind Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk. He’s eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2014.

Francois, a standout special teamer, was forced into rare defensive snaps Sunday thanks to Brad Jones’ hamstring injury. “I feel terrible about Robert’s situation. He was the first one to step up,” coach Mike McCarthy said. The only healthy inside linebackers on the Packers right now are A.J. Hawk, Jamari Lattimore and rookie Sam Barrington.