GREEN BAY -- The Packers are no closer to resolving their offensive line problems. In fact, after Monday night's practice, they might be further away than ever before.

At the first practice since Saturday night's poor performance in a 34-6 loss at San Francisco, the shuffling not only continued on the line, the problems were exacerbated by center Scott Wells' recurring "trunk" injury -- a lower back muscle injury that caused him to miss the exhibition opener and may force him to miss the third preseason game Friday at Denver.

With Wells out and left tackle Chad Clifton also sitting out, the Packers' front five Monday night at Clarke Hinkle Field were Tony Moll at left tackle, Daryn Colledge at left guard, Jason Spitz at center, Josh Sitton at right guard and Mark Tauscher at right tackle.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Clifton's situation is "nothing major," and Clifton is likely to play against the Broncos since Friday night's game is the most important tune-up before the regular season.

The second unit had Colledge at left tackle, Allen Barbre at left guard, Junius Coston at center, Moll at right guard and Breno Giacomini at right tackle. Moll also worked some at left guard and Barbre saw time at left tackle with the scout team.

"We're going to look at a different rotation because (of Clifton and Wells) not being able to go," McCarthy said. "Daryn was working both left tackle and left guard, Josh Sitton is still at the right guard, and Jason had to play center, so we're still going through that process."

Asked about Wells' injury, which McCarthy said "flared up" in Saturday night, McCarthy said Wells is experiencing pain on the opposite side as before. McCarthy said the medical staff ran tests on Wells Monday, the results of which will be available today.

With Wells' injury and Spitz, who started at left guard against the 49ers moving over, Colledge worked at left guard, his primary position. But Colledge, who played right guard and left tackle against the 49es, knows that's subject to change.


 "I didn't know I was the left guard until an hour before practice," Colledge said. "I'm just showing up. I've got a dance card, and if it gets punched, it gets punched. We all show up, we find out who's injured, we find out who's ready to go and we move around.

"As of today, I'm the starting left guard (against Denver). If somebody gets injured, something happens, you never know. But as of right now, I'm planning to be left guard until I hear otherwise."

Spitz struggled at left guard on Saturday night, allowing a pair of sacks, and when McCarthy was asked whether he still feels Spitz can play that position, McCarthy replied, "I'm not ready to make a decision." McCarthy then added that the Packers "don't know enough" about the severity of Wells' injury at this point, an ominous sign.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by diesel1976 on Aug. 20, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (report)

The O line needs alot of work right now. They have done a poor job of protecting our QB. If Aaron Rogers gets hurt the Packers are screwed. We have no real back up. If they were smart they would go out and get a veteran. Someone like Dante Colepepper. I have a bad feeling that the Packers will end up regretting getting rid of Brett Farve. We will definately not be 10-3 this season. Probably more like 3-10. I hope they get it together before the real season starts.

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