Free safety Morgan Burnett, whose toughness was questioned as a rookie for the Green Bay Packers but isn’t now, might be challenged like never before in the NFL as he attempts to play indefinitely with a broken hand.
Burnett got his hand caught during a blitz drill Thursday while practicing in pads. He fractured what he thought was the third metacarpal bone. He sat out Friday, trying to have the swelling subside, but intends to play today against St. Louis.
“Right now everything is a go and I’ll be going out there,” Burnett said. “In college, I broke my wrist during the summer, and then my thumb. I played with a similar cast on my thumb. We’re just trying to figure out what’s comfortable to put around my hand.”
The Packers might be less prepared to handle an injury at safety than any other position. They didn’t replace Nick Collins after he suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2, and rookie free agent M.D. Jennings is the only backup safety.
Cornerback Charles Woodson has played some safety in certain base packages, but cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt indicated moving Woodson inside on a full-time basis hadn’t been discussed and probably wouldn’t happen.
Burnett will have a protective “club” fashioned for his hand.
EXTRA POINTS
Miami Dolphins rookie running back Daniel Thomas, slowed by a hamstring injury this season, is listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the New York Jets. … New York Jets center Nick Mangold is listed as questionable but is expected to play in Monday’s game. … The New York Giants have signed defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks to their 53-man roster. Hendricks takes the spot that opened when the NFL suspended defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances. … Three Colts players will not travel to Cincinnati for today’s game. Running back Joseph Addai (hamstring), left tackle Anthony Castonzo (sprained ankle) and defensive tackle Drake Nevis (back injury) will stay in Indianapolis, the team said. … Buffalo Bills starting outside linebacker Shawne Merriman won’t play in today’s game at the New York Giants because of an Achilles’ tendon injury.
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