McCarthy: “I’m The Captain Of Hope” That Injured Players Are Ready

Packers’ tight end Martellus Bennett calls himself “the captain of fun,” and coach Mike McCarthy says he’s “the captain of hope” that his injured players will be ready for the season opener September tenth. McCarthy says he’s optimistic that right tackle Bryan Bulaga, offensive lineman Don Barclay, outside linebacker Nick Perry, and defensive tackle Dean Lowry will be ready to play against Seattle. All four were hurt at various points of the preseason — Lowry with a knee injury and the others with bad ankles. One question mark is linebacker Clay Matthews, who left earlier than the other defensive starters in Saturday night’s exhibition loss at Denver — although the team did not announce an injury. Meanwhile, media reports say the Packers will give free agent outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks an audition today (Tuesday) after the San Francisco veteran was cut for salary cap purposes late last week.