GREEN BAY, Wis. – The oblique strain that Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett sustained in practice this week will keep him out of Saturday's preseason opener at the Tennessee Titans.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday the following seven players will not travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for the game:
S Morgan Burnett (oblique strain)
WR Jared Abbrederis (torn ACL)
G/T Don Barclay (torn ACL)
TE Colt Lyerla (knee sprain)
S Tanner Miller (ankle)
DT Letroy Guion (hamstring)
DE Jerel Worthy (back)
Burnett said he sustained the injury in Monday night's practice. Although the Packers did not practice on Thursday, he would not have been able to participate.
"You want to be there; as a competitor, you want to be involved," Burnett said. "It's just something we've got to take one day at a time."
That opens the door for first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to start alongside Micah Hyde at the two safety spots, although McCarthy spoke highly of Sean Richardson on Thursday, saying he has had "a helluva camp."
The Packers' offensive starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are not likely to play much against the Titans.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Dom Capers said the outside linebacker combination of Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers will make its debut, but was noncommittal about playing time for his starters.
"You'll see Clay and Julius," Capers said. "We don't know the definite amount of reps yet."
