Harrell is on the physically unable to perform list. This week marks the third week of a three-week window during which the Packers could evaluate his progress in practice after he underwent two surgeries for a herniated disk in his back before deciding whether to add him to the 53-man roster.

"He looks good," McCarthy said. "This is the best shape that he's been in since he's been with us in Green Bay. I'm definitely encouraged with the progress that he's making."

Harrell was sabotaged by injuries most of his rookie season last year after the Packers selected him in the first round of the draft.

If Harrell gets the OK from the medical staff to play Sunday, McCarthy said Harrell would be part of the rotation at the tackle spots. His first game in 2008 incidentally would be in his home state.

The 6-foot-4 Harrell is noticeably lighter than last year at 313 pounds, which he feels will serve him better to be effective in game action.

"He's taken his full dose of reps (in practice this week). He's making progress," McCarthy said. "This is what he needs. We talk about getting in football shape - getting in there pushing and pulling and tugging and so forth. He just cannot get enough work."

--Starting defensive tackle Johnny Jolly was back with the team Wednesday after being excused from practice Monday so he could attend a court hearing in Houston on Tuesday.

Jolly faces a felony drug possession charge stemming from an incident in the summer.

He was arrested July 8 in his hometown for possession of at least 200 grams of codeine.

He didn't have to offer a plea in court Tuesday. A pretrial motion will be held Dec. 2, at which time a trial date will be set. In the interim, Jolly can work out a plea agreement with the district attorney in Houston or plead guilty to avoid a trial.

--Wide receiver Donald Driver needs one catch Sunday to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 103, which would tie the club record set by Sterling Sharpe from 1988 to '94.

--In the Packers' last game, a 34-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 19, Driver moved into second place on the team's all-time receptions list with 532. Sharpe holds the record with 595.

--Sharpe is among a half-dozen individuals with ties to the Packers who are on the preliminary list of 133 players, coaches and contributors nominated for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year.

Other former Green Bay players up for consideration are safeties LeRoy Butler and Eugene Robinson and defensive tackle Steve McMichael.

The retired duo of team president Bob Harlan and general manager Ron Wolf were nominated as contributors.

A Hall of Fame selection committee will narrow the preliminary list to 25 semifinalists in November.

BY THE NUMBERS: 69 -- League-leading points scored by the Packers off turnovers this season. Green Bay has 14 takeaways, including a league-best 13 interceptions.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's totally different. Bad calls keep you up for the wrong reasons. Babies keep you up for the right reasons." -- Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, when asked what keeps him from sleeping more, football games or babies? McCarthy and wife Jessica had their first child, daughter Gabrielle, during the team's bye week on Oct. 22.