Packers' Nick Barnett Expects to Play in Third Preseason Game

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers inside linebacker Nick Barnett has no idea why he failed his training camp physical and has started out on Green Bay's physically unable-to-perform (PUP) list.

No doubt it has something to do with that ACL reconstruction Barnett underwent after blowing out his right knee at Minnesota in Week 10 last season.

Now, he's a sideline observer while Packers coach Mike McCarthy puts his team through some of the most hard-hitting, intense training camp practices in the NFL this preseason. That's probably a good thing at this early stage for Barnett, who needs to give his surgically repaired right knee plenty of time to heal.

Unfortunately, Barnett -- who should be a key component in new defensive coordinator Dom Capers' switch to a 3-4 scheme -- has no idea when he'll be cleared to put on pads

"That's totally up to them. I don't even know. I don't even know what the actual details of the failure was," Barnett said Monday, after the Packers endured a long, intense single afternoon workout that seemed to drain players despite the mild Green Bay temperatures. "But I'm sure it's for precautionary reasons. That's what the doctor told me.

"I'm not hurting too much. Nothing abnormal from an ACL reconstruction surgery. It's fine."

NFL players don't like to hit in training camp, but they don't like to sit, either.

"I'm learning the best I can by watching," said Barnett, a smart player who was given the responsibility last season of donning the new helmet speaker to receive defensive audio instruction from the sideline. "It's totally different when you're out there playing, being in the fire. But I'm watching film, taking notes, doing all that I can mentally to study for the test.

"I need to get out there and get some practice exams soon."

McCarthy said Monday there is no timetable for Barnett's return. Nor was there any progress in getting unsigned first-round pick B.J. Raji into camp.

While he's on the PUP list, Barnett can be activated to the camp roster at any time.

He sees himself back on the field soon. "By the third preseason game, I'll be back rolling," Barnett said. "I'll be getting reps and I'm sure I'll probably see some action then. I don't know for sure; I'm not a doctor or a GM, so I don't know what they're going to do."

Will he have some cobwebs clinging to him after missing the final six games of 2008 and the entire offseason to date?

"Nah, I'll dust those off," Barnett said with a laugh. "Naturally. Just throw me out there right now and I'll probably tackle a tiger."