McCarthy doesn't expect Packers RB Grant, OT Bulaga to play

The Green Bay Packers could be without two key starters for Sunday's home game against the Denver Broncos.

On Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy said that running back Ryan Grant (kidney) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) will be "pressed to make this game."

The news regarding Bulaga isn't much of a surprise, but Grant had downplayed his injury, which he suffered during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweeted that McCarthy will give both players a chance to practice Friday but isn't expecting them to play.

The extent of Grant's injury hasn't been revealed, but one would think team doctors will be overly cautious before clearing him to play with a kidney injury. As for Bulaga, it's been expected he could miss a few weeks after spraining and bruising his knee against the Bears.

If Grant can't go, James Starks would start his first game of the season. He was the Packers' primary ball carrier before Grant's breakout 92-yard performance in Chicago; Starks managed just five yards on 11 carries.

Second-year lineman Marshall Newhouse, who replaced Bulaga on Sunday, would start in Bulaga's place.