Packers’ offensive line remains a mystery

With only two days left before Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that he had some options offensive players, leaving everyone guessing what the OL will look like.

At least one thing is for sure: Aaron Rodgers will be the starting quarterback wearing his No. 12 green Packers jersey to confront the quarterback in purple No. 4 Vikings jersey, and McCarthy only needs to choose from his options the best to protect Rodgers, who was sacked eight times in the first game against the Vikings on Oct. 5. Although McCarthy reiterated that first-year starter Allen Barbre remains the starter at right tackle, he also said that Barbre needs to continue to improve to keep his job as the team has brought back veteran tackle Mark Tauscher, who was the Packers’ starting right tackle since his rookie season in 2000 until he suffered a serious knee injury late last season.

Rookie T.J. Lang also has a competitor for the starting job at left tackle now as veteran tackle Chad Clifton took full part in Friday’s practice. But the rookie has just been preparing for Sunday’s game as if he will start again. As Clinton was listed questionable for Sunday with an ankle injury, which kept him out for three of the last four games, it is very likely Lang will keep his starting job at least for this week.

Vikings CB Winfield has not returned to the team

Last weekend, Vikings CB Antoine Winfield arose speculation by missing a mandatory minicamp. The speculation was ended by the coach Brad Childress explaining that Winfield went to attend the funeral of a friend's mother. But because he has been absent from OTAs this week, speculations come up again about his contract dispute with the Patriots.

The OTA held on Thursday was not a mandatory one but strongly encuraged, but 6 players were not present, including Winfield. Childress declined to link Winfield's absence with the contract issue, and Winfield's Ashanti Webb did not reply any message seeking comment.