Packers may bring Tauscher back; Blackmon out for season

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The Packers may be close to bringing back Mark Tauscher who played at right tackle for nine years in Green Bay.

Offensive line coach James Campen said Tauscher had a good workout yesterday, as he comes off surgery on his left knee from last January.

Tauscher’s contract expired a month after he tore an ACL last December.

He’s been rehabbing and working out, and he had a try out at Kansas City last week.

Coach Mike McCarthy says he’d love to have Tauscher back for his leadership and experience.

But he said Tauscher would have to beat out Allen Barbre for the right tackle job. And even if he signs now,

McCarthy is not sure Tauscher could be ready for the Packers’ next game on Oct. 18th against Detroit.

The Packers have a bye this week, after going 2-2 to start the season. Tauscher’s agent is negotiating a deal, but there was no agreement as of last night. McCarthy says Tauscher has worked with the Packers’ zone-blocking scheme from Day 1.

His return could bring stability to a line that’s given up 20 sacks of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Packers’ kick returner Will Blackmon is out for the season, after tearing an ACL ligament in his left knee in Monday night’s loss at Minnesota.

It’s the second time in four years Blackmon will finish the season on the injured reserve list.

He has only played in 29 of a possible 50 games for the Packers and he missed this year’s season opener with a thigh injury.

Receiver Jordy Nelson will handle the Packers’ kick return duties. Meanwhile, coach Mike McCarthy says he’s hopeful that safety Atari Bigby, left tackle Chad Clifton, running back Brandon Jackson, and linebacker Jeremy Thompson can all return after the bye week and play against Detroit on Oct. 18.

Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, linebacker Desmond Bishop, safety Derrick Martin, and running back DeShawn Wynn are expected to return to practice next week, after getting hurt against the Vikings.

Martin stayed at a Minneapolis hospital overnight with a throat bruise, but he was back home Tuesday.

Tags: wi sports, packers, football