The Sports Xchange

GREEN BAY, Wis. — After too many injuries to really be a 5-0 team, the Green Bay Packers started to look healthy somewhere other than the standings this week.

Returning to the practice field Wednesday were notables such as the starting duo of receiver Davante Adams (ankle) and safety Morgan Burnett (calf) along with right guard T.J. Lang (knee).

It was only three days ago he sustained damage to the MCL in his right knee during Green Bay’s 24-10 win over the St. Louis Rams.

“I tend to play through some small things,” Lang said after Wednesday’s practice. “Major injuries, to me, require surgery. Anything else is, in my mind, not too major. So, I always do my best to try to be available as long as I can play through those minor injuries.

“I’ve played through worse injuries, and as long as I don’t have any setbacks, I’m going to feel good about Sunday,” Lang added.

Lang is counting on playing Sunday, when the Packers host the San Diego Chargers. After all, he figures he can get ample recovery in the days that follow with Green Bay’s bye week next on the schedule.

Although Adams and Burnett would seem to be long shots to play Sunday after missing multiple games – Adams the last two and Burnett the past three – head coach Mike McCarthy isn’t using the impending break as a crutch to rest his injured players this weekend.

“I know I’ve used the term ‘the high side of caution,’ but that’s more of a medical philosophy,” McCarthy said. “My philosophy is that if they’re healthy they play, if they’re not healthy then they shouldn’t play. How do you define health? I’m not going to get into that.

“It’s an NFL season. After the first game, everybody has been through how many car wrecks? What these guys do for a living is so unique. So, no one is 100 percent and won’t be for some time. That’s not the goal. But, if you’re healthy enough, they play. That’s always been our status.”

The only injured player certain to be out Sunday is outside linebacker Nick Perry, who suffered a significant left shoulder injury against the Rams and is expected to miss at least a couple weeks.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t sure Adams will be able to play Sunday as the young standout continues to deal with an aggravated sprain of his left ankle, but the quarterback recognizes the importance of having Adams back in action.

“He would definitely add another dimension with his ability to get open outside the numbers,” Rodgers said Wednesday.

After Sunday’s game against the Rams, in which he didn’t throw one pass that traveled 30-plus yards in the air, Rodgers rued not having a true deep threat. Top wideout Jordy Nelson suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason, and Adams has missed the better part of the last three games with the lingering injury.

Adams said after going through his light on-field workout Wednesday that the ankle still felt “a little sore.”

“It feels a lot better. We’re getting there,” said Adams, whom Rodgers called “a Pro Bowl-caliber player” after Sunday’s game. “It’s a process, but I just want to be smart with it.”

Until Adams is cleared to resume playing, which may not be until the Week 8 game at the Denver Broncos on Nov. 1 after the Packers have their bye, Rodgers will have to get by with relying on Randall Cobb, James Jones and rookie Ty Montgomery to provide big plays after the catch.

Montgomery and Jones did just that last time out with breakaway touchdowns of 31 and 65 yards, respectively, to account for the Packers’ 14-point win over the Rams.

In his second stint with the team, the 31-year-old Jones has been a big-play revelation with his ability to beat and elude defensive backs down the field. Jones is averaging 20.7 yards per reception and leads the Packers with five touchdown catches, one more than Cobb. Jones is No. 1 in the NFL with seven receptions of at least 25 yards.

“I’m just making plays, man,” said Jones, who re-signed with the team before the season started after being cut by the New York Giants. “When my name is called and I get the opportunity, I’m just trying to make plays.

“When I came (back) here, I didn’t know what my role was going to be, I didn’t know what I was going to do. But, like I told myself since I was a rookie (in 2007) … when I get a chance to make a play, make a play. That’s my same motto in year 9.”

Notes: Safety Sean Richardson (neck) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. … Wide receiver James Jones (hamstring) is on the injury report a second straight week with the leg injury. It’s not serious since Jones, who practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, was able to play in Sunday’s lopsided win over the St. Louis Rams and outrun the defense for most of his 65-yard touchdown. … Among those not practicing Wednesday were outside linebacker Nick Perry (shoulder/hand) and nose tackle B.J. Raji (groin). … Inside linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis.