The Sports Xchange

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers’ defensive line received a boost Wednesday when Letroy Guion rejoined his teammates on the practice field.

It’s the first time Guion was involved in on-field work since the season started after he served a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

“Most of all, I’m excited to get back out there with the fellas and start to play some football,” the veteran defensive tackle said.

During the suspension, Guion was allowed to be with the team in the locker room, for meetings and in the weight room for workouts.

“I did all of the exercise machines, the treadmill and everything I could do to get myself ready,” Guion said.

What Guion missed out on the last three weeks was the live action in practice to simulate game situations. He’s hopeful of getting up to speed in short order this week for a chance to be activated for the unbeaten Packers’ road game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

“I feel good,” said Guion, who started every game last season as the replacement for an injured B.J. Raji at nose tackle. “I’ve been working hard, doing all of the things I can do to get back out there. I feel pretty good health-wise. I feel good to get back out there.”

Head coach Mike McCarthy suggested a decision on Guion’s status for Sunday’s game won’t be made until the end of the week.

Although the Packers have a league-issued roster exemption for Guion until Friday, they cleared a spot Wednesday when they placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve/designated to return.

Quarless sustained a torn MCL in his left knee during the 38-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.

By rule, with this designation that can be used by a team only once in a season, Quarless must remain out for six weeks and can’t play for eight weeks.

Green Bay is down to two tight ends on the roster with starter Richard Rodgers and rookie Kennard Backman, who has yet to play this season.

Left with the open spot on the 53-man roster, the formality of adding Guion to it at week’s end may not be the only move the Packers make.

They now have two tight ends on the practice squad with second-year pro Justin Perillo and Blake Annen, who was signed to the practice squad Wednesday.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Annen, a first-year player out of Cincinnati, played five games for the Chicago Bears last season. He was on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad for the first week of this season.

To make room for Annen on the 10-player reserve unit, the Packers placed undrafted rookie linebacker James Vaughters on practice squad/injured.

–His Northern California ties notwithstanding, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in favor of the Packers’ leaving for Sunday’s game on the West Coast a day earlier than normal on Friday.

“I think it’s important that we do it the right way,” Rodgers said. “I think the two-day trip (before game day) is going to help.

“We have some free time out there, a little more than usual, so it’s really a mental week,” he added. “(It’s) less about the physical, even though it’s Week 4. It’s really about how we mentally get locked in on the preparation and the (game) plan and then try to play our best game Sunday.”

Rodgers’ hometown of Chico, Calif., is 200 miles from Santa Clara, where the Packers will play the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium for the first time.

Packers receiver James Jones, also a Northern Californian, lives about 30 minutes away in San Ramon.

Jones let the cat out of the bag after practice Wednesday that the team will hold its usual Saturday practice before a Sunday game at his alma mater, San Jose State, this weekend.

“Practice at San Jose State, where it all started for me,” the ninth-year pro said. “So, it’ll be good to go down there and see my old stomping grounds. … I’m excited to go out there, and my family is going to see me play.”

Notes: Running back Eddie Lacy (ankle) went through the full practice Wednesday. … Among those not practicing Wednesday were wide receiver Davante Adams (ankle). … Strong safety Morgan Burnett (calf) and inside linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring). … Tight end Andrew Quarless (knee) was placed on injured reserve/designated to return. … Defensive end Datone Jones (head) was cleared to practice Wednesday.