Ryan Grant done for the season has 4 comments

Sep 14th 2010, 22:10 | FFN-Score: 47 points

Running back Ryan Grant is done for the year after he suffered an ankle injury in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, a league source told NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche.

The specifics of the injury weren't revealed but Grant is expected to have a surgical procedure in which at least one screw will be inserted to help the injury heal, the source said.

According to The Journal Sentinel, Grant also sustained a small fracture in his upper fibula. That injury, however, is not considered as serious as the ankle injury and will heal on its own.

Grant, who was wearing a protective walking boot on his right foot after the injury, said after Sunday's game that his ankle was just sprained, not broken.

"They made the decision to take me out," Grant said. "They didn't want to make it worse than it was. Once I'd iced it for a while, they said 'We might as well put you in a boot.'"

Without Grant in the backfield, the Packers' only ball carriers are backup Brandon Jackson and fullback John Kuhn, who showed enough ability during the preseason to be considered the emergency halfback.

"As far as any roster moves, this is really preliminary," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's an ongoing conversation. Our personnel department, they're always grading tape and making lists and looking at different options."

Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska in 2007, played well in Grant's absence Sunday. He rushed for 63 yards on 18 carries and caught two passes. McCarthy said Jackson also did a good job picking up blitzes.


"I feel Brandon Jackson carried the load yesterday," McCarthy said. "I think there's a lot of evidence right there, recent evidence that he's able to play all three downs, and he will have that opportunity this week."

Kuhn, meanwhile, scored a touchdown during the third quarter Sunday.

"John's done a very good job with his limited opportunities," McCarthy said. "Every time you put the ball in John's hands he's been productive, and we feel very good about him. He's our third halfback and now will be our second halfback going into Buffalo."

The Associated Press contributed to this report