Next game: Sunday, January 20
NFC Championship vs. NY Giants
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"60 from Super" Coverage:
• How Cold is Too Cold for the NFL?
• Brett vs. Eli
• Favre Can't Learn Much From Week 2
• Grant's Not Vengeful
• Woodson Came Around
• Lambeau's Busy
• Mayors Bet Cheese, Cheesecake
• No Seinfeld for Manning, Local Fans Miffed
• Rattling Manning
• Giants' Injuries
• Naming Baby Brett
• Pastor Shreds Game Tix
• The REALLY Frozen Tundra
• Green Bay's Cold History
• NFC Championship Continuing Coverage Archive

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Packers cornerback/punt returner Will Blackmon was back in practice on Wednesday after he sat out Saturday's victory over Seattle because of an aggravated foot injury. Blackmon was limited in practice, working occasionally at cornerback and fielding punts in the portion of practice that was open to the media.

"I talked to Will at practice," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "How he feels tomorrow will be key. He felt a little sore as he went through it, but he was able to work today so we'll see how he is tomorrow."

McCarthy said one practice isn't enough to decide that Blackmon will be ready to play Sunday.

"He needs to go through the whole week before we make that call," McCarthy said. "I'm not comfortable just putting him out there based on this important game. I want to see him do it in practice."

TOUGHER TUNDRA: The Green Bay Packers switched Lambeau Field from all grass to the "GrassMaster" natural/synthetic hybrid surface before the start of the season, hoping that the field would hold up better late in the year.

And it has, according to Packers fields manager Allen Johnson.

Usually, the Packers have to re-sod the middle of the field late in the year -- the makings of a messy situation when the weather turns bad. But the synthetic fibers contained in the new turf seem to be holding it together well despite heavy snow during Saturday's game.

"We're very, very fortunate that we put this new type of field in," Johnson said.

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings said the new turf is noticeably better.

"Last year I remember coming out, I think it was against New England, they put down a new turf in the middle of the field and it looked horrible. It was horrible," Jennings said. "This year it's held up great. The turf, when we were out there last Saturday, was very good, in great shape. It wasn't too damp. I think what they've done with the revamping of the field has been a huge advantage for us."

EXTRA CREDIT: Packers players had their usual Tuesday off this week -- and, as usual, many of them could be found doing extra work in the weight room and film rooms at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

"I think it all goes back to the environment that you create," McCarthy said. "It's a place where if our players want to come in and do extra work it's not an 'I'm not going to go in there' type of attitude. So that's a credit to them and it's a credit to the Green Bay Packers organization, because our facilities are phenomenal, and it's just a great culture to work in."

NOTES: Center Scott Wells left practice after tweaking a gluteus muscle. "Just felt something in practice," McCarthy said. "So just being safe." ... Linebacker Nick Barnett was limited in Wednesday's practice because of lingering hamstring soreness from last week. "A little sore, just being safe with him," McCarthy said. ... Blackmon, TE Bubba Franks (knee), WR Greg Jennings (groin), WR Koren Robinson (knee) and CB Charles Woodson (knee) also were limited in Wednesday's practice.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)