Greg Jennings is returning to the Packers’ lineup, and also to the scene of his signature NFL moment.
The Packers will welcome back their star wide receiver tonight at Invesco Field at Mile High after he missed the team’s first two preseason games with a sore knee. Jennings had one of the best moments of his career against the Broncos last season, catching an 82-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre on the first play of overtime to power the Packers to a memorable 19-13 victory.
“Last year was last year,” Jennings said. “I’m pretty sure they’re probably thinking about that and don’t want that to happen again. But it’s preseason. It’s time to get work. This is a time where we really perfect our craft, and this is a time to test yourself, especially for myself, this being my first preseason game.”
Chad Upshaw mourns death of cousin
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers reserve tight end Chad Upshaw was on the field, and the team tried to follow its normal practice routine.
It wasn’t easy. As Upshaw mourned the death of his cousin, players and coaches reacted with sadness to the death of players association chief Gene Upshaw.
“I think it was a shock to everybody,” quarterback Jake Delhomme said.
Chad Upshaw, who was one of the Panthers’ final cuts as a rookie in 2007 and is a longshot to make the 53-man roster this year, practiced despite hearing the news of his second cousin’s passing from pancreatic cancer a few hours before the workout began. He declined afterward to speak to reporters.
Chad Upshaw is the son of Gene Upshaw’s cousin Willie, a former major-league first baseman with Toronto and Cleveland.
McGahee targets season opener for return
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens running back Willis McGahee, limited to running in a swimming pool as he recuperates from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, expects to be running with the football when the season starts.
Although he’s off crutches, McGahee isn’t able to jog yet. He’s targeting the Ravens’ Sept. 7 season opener against the Bengals for his return.
“I will be ready, but I don’t know about playing in the preseason,” McGahee said.
Footnotes.
Bears backup linebacker Rod Wilson left the field on a cart with a broken right forearm in the third quarter of a 37-30 exhibition loss to the 49ers. It’s unclear how long Wilson will be out. “That’s tough,” coach Lovie Smith said. “He’s done some things for us.”
• Rams running back Steven Jackson signed a six-year, $44 million contract, ended a 27-day holdout and was on the field for practice.
• The Steelers signed linebacker James Farrior to a five-year, $18.2 million contract extension that includes a $5 million signing bonus.
• The Patriots signed 10-year veteran offensive lineman Mike Flynn, who was released by the Ravens in February. The Associated Press
