GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — If Green Bay Packers fans are eager for a sneak peek at Charles Woodson’s potentially expanded role at safety for the Green Bay Packers this season, they probably aren’t going to get it Thursday night.
If Woodson plays at all in the Packers’ preseason opener at San Diego, it won’t be much. And Woodson says he has played enough safety in the Packers’ scheme already that he doesn’t need too much work to be ready for the regular season.
“I’ve played, really, a ton of safety here since I’ve been here, so I don’t think they foresee it being any problem, and I don’t see it being a problem,” Woodson said.
Woodson mostly rested during Tuesday afternoon’s training camp practice in Green Bay, and said he appreciates that Packers coaches give veteran players some time off during camp and the preseason.
“Over time, you accumulate respect, I think it is, as far as veteran guys that have been around a long time, played this game a long time,” Woodson said. “You’ve taken a beating, basically, for over a certain amount of years. You give those guys a little bit of time off, because they’ve done it. Younger guys, I think they have to go through it, and know what it’s all about. I think that’s really all it is.”
Packers coach Mike McCarthy has ruled out at least 11 players for Thursday night’s preseason opener at San Diego — including wide receiver Greg Jennings and starting left tackle Marshall Newhouse, who are recovering from concussions.