A roundup of what's happening on the Green Bay Packers beat.
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A week ago at this time, it seemed unlikely that Bryan Bulaga would be ready to play given how badly he was limping through practice on his injured left knee.
And sure enough, even though he practiced on a limited basis all last week, the Packers right tackle was inactive for last Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
A week later, coach Mike McCarthy came away from Wednesday's practice feeling far better about Bulaga's chances to play this Sunday at the Detroit Lions.
Officially, Bulaga was once again listed as a limited participant in practice, but he appeared to move much more fluidly than he did in practice last week.
"I'd have to watch the video to give you a more accurate feel on how he did, but he looked good," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday.
Bulaga was injured in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, which was his first game since Nov. 4, 2012, when he sustained a hip injury. Bulaga then tore the ACL in his left knee on Aug. 3, 2013. That's the same knee Bulaga injured against Seattle, but the diagnosis was a far less severe sprained MCL.
If Bulaga cannot play Sunday, Derek Sherrod would make his second career start. In relief of Bulaga, Sherrod has allowed three sacks in a game and a half.
In case you missed it on ESPN.com:
Linebacker Clay Matthews said all the right things about his new role, which has him playing off the line of scrimmage more and rushing the quarterback less.
Receiver Jordy Nelson, who leads the NFL in receiving yards after two games, only wants to be singled out by one person, his quarterback.
We discussed both Matthews and Nelson in this video.
Casey Hayward, who sat out practice on Wednesday, has a glute strain, which could be cause for concern considering he missed all but three games last season because of a pulled hamstring.
Backup linebacker and special teams contributor Andy Mulumba's season is over because of a torn ACL.
Here's our weekly check on where the Packers rank as a team and in the individual statistics.
Best of the rest:
At ESPNWisconsin.com, Jason Wilde wrote that even if Matthews were not happy with his role, he probably would never say so.
In the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Ryan Wood wrote that safety Micah Hyde, who sustained a knee injury on Sunday against the Jets, is sure he will play against the Lions.
In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tyler Dunne wrote that when the Packers signed cornerback Sam Shields to a four-year, $39 million contract in the offseason, it was with matchups like Sunday's against Lions receiver Calvin Johnson in mind.