Packers Face Defensive Disaster: Harris, Kampman Both Injured

With a 30-24 win over San Francisco Sunday at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers thrust themselves into the thick of the NFC playoff race. At 6-4, Green Bay kept pace with the New York Giants, who also won, and jumped ahead of the team the Giants beat (Atlanta).

However, it was a costly win for the Packers.

The defense may have suffered a couple of major blows with potentially serious knee injuries to outside linebacker Aaron Kampman and cornerback Al Harris.

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"Hopefully, these two injuries aren't as serious as we may think,'' Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Sunday night that both Kampman and Harris had suffered torn ACLs and would be lost for the season. McCarthy told reporters that the team would know more Monday.

Kampman's left knee appeared to buckle while he was fighting off a block in the third quarter. He was helped off the field, then put on a cart and taken into the locker room.

Harris was running in coverage with San Francisco rookie Michael Crabtree near the Packers' end zone in the fourth quarter. According to Fox's Chris Myers, Harris planted his leg and "keeled over." He was placed on a cart and taken off for X-rays.

After the game, head coach Mike McCarthy didn't offer any specifics on either player, but said the injuries "don't look good."

On his Twitter page, linebacker Nick Barnett didn't get specific, either, but he asked fans to "pray for Kamp and Harris. The knee is serious!!"

The long-term loss of either -- or both -- could be disastrous for Green Bay. Kampman is slowly starting to look more comfortable in the Packers' 3-4 defense, while Harris is having another strong season covering top receivers. There is no question he has slipped a bit from the elite level, but as teams try to stay away from surefire Pro Bowler Charles Woodson, Harris has been getting picked on a little bit.

Now, if Harris is out for any length of time, it will be youngster Tramon Williams getting picked on. If the way Alex Smith and the 49ers picked apart the Green Bay secondary after Harris went down is any indication, it is not going to go well for the Packers.