Al Harris Could Return & Justin Harrell Sits Out

Brad Biggs of the National Football Post reports that Packers cornerback Al Harris could join his team on the practice field next week. Citing a league source, Biggs says that Harris could be cleared to return as soon as Monday.

At the end of July, Harris’ agent, Jack Betcha, wrote, “Al Harris tells me he’s ahead of schedule, feels confident and should be 100 percent ready by Preseason game three.”

Returning to practice next week would put Harris on schedule to return for the third preseason game, but given the extent of his injury, there is no reason to rush the veteran back into the lineup. The 35-year-old Harris has always asserted that he would return to the field for the Packers regular season opener, but many thought his goal seemed far-fetched. As it currently stands, Harris’ vision is looking more and more like a reality.

So that’s the good news. Now for the bad.

Defensive end Justin Harrell’s “back tightened up” this morning causing him to miss this morning’s practice. Coach Mike McCarthy did not offer much of a reply when asked if he was worried about Harrell’s injury. “It’s training camp. We’ll see how he is tonight.” Harrell has yet to prove he can remain healthy for an entire season, and many believe this is a make-or-break training camp for the former first-round draft pick out of Tennessee.