The Packers are at the point of training camp where the balancing act of making roster judgements versus getting starters ready for the regular season is tipping toward the first unit. With that in mind, Mike McCarthy announced Monday that T.J. Lang has won the starting left guard job, succeding departed free agent Daryn Colledge. Lang was battling with number one pick Derek Sherrod for the job and despite a bothersome knee sprain for Sherrod, Lang clearly outperformed him day to day on the practice field. The only other starting job up for grabs was on defense where it appears Erik Walden will be the outside right linebacker, again helped by injury. Frank Zombo, the Super Bowl starter got hit in the back by John Kuhn's helmet in pre-game warmups last Friday night at Lambeau and while in pain, played through the first half. An examination and x-ray after the contest revealed a broken scapula, the shoulder blade. Zombo will be out several weeks. The practice numbers are dwindling because of mounting injuries, three players are still out with concussions and are going through league-mandated protocols of testing before they can return, Anthony Levine and two defensive linemen, C.J. Wilson and Lawrence Guy. Guy tried to return to the field last week but had recurring symptoms. On the offensive line, Chad Clifton continues to get limited work to keep him fresh and with Sherrod missing, center Evan Dietrich-Smith was taking reps at left tackle. A couple of injured players returned to the field, defensive back Brandon Underwood (knee) and receiver Brett Swain (hamstring). James Starks also was back from a slight ankle sprain. A couple of visitors to camp Monday included former General Manager Ron Wolf. He spent the day roaming the practice field, talking with his protoge Ted Thompson and others in the organization who were here during his tenure like trainer Pepper Burress. Jay Glazer, the FOX sports NFL insider was also in town for a brief stop on what he told me was an incredibly grinding 20 camp tour around the league this summer. With more on the Lang decision and Zombo's injury, click on the link below to travel inside the Lambeau Field locker room.
Packers camp quotes


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