Packers-Panthers Injury Report: Sternberger Calls Debut a ‘Blast’

Jace Sternberger called being on injured reserve a mental challenge.

In his NFL debut, Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Jace Sternberger played one snap on offense and 11 snaps on special teams vs. the Chargers.

It was the most-eagerly anticipated 12 snaps of his life.

“It was like ripping a Band-aid off,” Sternberger said after Thursday’s practice. “You’ve been thinking about it since the day you get drafted and then it’s like you get hurt and you’ve got to wait and wait. It was like, finally. I enjoyed it. It was a blast.”

After missing most of training camp with a concussion, Sternberger suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale. He opened the season on injured reserve and started practicing on Oct. 16.

Sternberger was a third-round pick in this year’s draft after an All-American season at Texas A&M. The concussion, sustained in a joint practice against Houston, kept him out for two weeks and was a major blow to his development. Missing the first six weeks of the regular season was another unwanted detour.

“It was more frustrating at first,” he said. “I had a lot to learn – I still have a lot to learn. I feel like I’m with the best organization to learn. If I had to get hurt and learn from somebody, it would be this system because I’m watching Marcedes (Lewis) and Jimmy (Graham) and listening to ’12’ (Aaron Rodgers). These six weeks, it wasn’t like I was injured and ‘Poor me.’ It was more a mental challenge instead of a physical grind. Those six weeks were a mental grind with extra tests. It was an inner challenge for myself.”

Safety Adrian Amos (hamstring) did not participate for a second consecutive day. During the portion of practice open to reporters, he worked extensively on the side on his backpedaling and accelerating. Amos is second on the team with 54 tackles and tied for fourth with four passes defensed while playing 99.3 percent of the defensive snaps. The only other player to not practice was tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest).

The outlook improved in Carolina, with running back Christian McCaffrey, safety Eric Reid and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy returning to practice. Cornerback James Bradberry, who is tied for the team lead with three interceptions, did not practice for a second consecutive day. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he believes Bradberry could practice on Friday, though.

PACKERS INJURY REPORT

Did not participate: S Adrian Amos (hamstring), Marcedes Lewis (rest).

Limited: WR Davante Adams (toe), RT Bryan Bulaga (rest), TE Jimmy Graham (rest), TE Robert Tonyan (hip), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (ankle/knee), CB Tramon Williams (rest).

Full: ILB Oren Burks (pectoral), DT Kenny Clark (shin), RB Aaron Jones (shoulder), CB Kevin King (groin), WR Jake Kumerow (shoulder), ILB Blake Martinez (hand), S Will Redmond (elbow), QB Aaron Rodgers (knee), OLB Preston Smith (hand).

PANTHERS INJURY REPORT

Did not participate: CB James Bradberry (groin), DT Vernon Butler (back), OT Greg Little (concussion).

Limited: DT Gerald McCoy (knee), RB Christian McCaffrey (knee).

Full: DE Mario Addison (not injury related), QB Kyle Allen (right shoulder), DE/OLB Christian Miller (ankle), S Eric Reid (ankle), WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring), ILB Shaq Thompson (ankle).

Video: Rodgers on handling a poor performance