Grant is an exclusive-rights free agent, but he refused to sign the Packers' one-year tender of $370,000. Consequently, he wasn't allowed to participate in on-field workouts with the team in the offseason and was in jeopardy of missing the start of training camp as he awaited a new deal.

"I am concerned because missing OTAs is a lot different than missing training-camp practices," Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said a day before the players reported for camp July 27. "I know both sides are working diligently to get this business matter resolved, and I'm hopeful we do that in a short time frame."

Meanwhile, Green Bay locked up LB Brady Poppinga through the 2012 season with a four-year, $17 million contract extension. General manager Ted Thompson announced the transaction during the publicly owned team's shareholders meeting July 24 at Lambeau Field.

"Brady Poppinga sometimes doesn't get a lot of recognition, but he's a good player and will be a good player for us for a long time," Thompson said.

Poppinga was due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. He received the new pact despite not being guaranteed the starting spot he's held the last two years at strongside 'backer, where free agent signee Brandon Chillar will provide competition in camp.

--DT Johnny Jolly reported for the start of training camp July 27 in the midst of facing legal issues stemming from his arrest in Houston earlier in the month for alleged drug possession. Jolly has a court appearance scheduled for Aug. 27. He could miss time at the outset of camp as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery he underwent late last season.

--DT Justin Harrell, like DT Johnny Jolly, is a candidate to go on the PUP list at the outset of camp. Harrell is listed week to week after undergoing surgery in the spring for a back injury he sustained lifting weights.

--DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was expected to be ready for the opening of camp practices July 28. Gbaja-Biamila missed the majority of offseason workouts after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring.

--DT Colin Cole was expected to gain clearance from the medical staff to return to the field for the start of camp after needing the offseason to recover from a forearm injury he suffered late last season.

--CB Will Blackmon also was likely to get the green light to resume practicing after being held back from offseason work to give a broken foot he aggravated at the end of last season more time to heal.

--TE Mike Peterson, LB Marcus Riley, CB Kyle Ward and P Ken DeBauche, a Green Bay native, were released in the days leading up to camp as the Packers signed draft picks.

EXPECTED BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Brandon Jackson vs. DeShawn Wynn for No. 2 RB -- With featured back Ryan Grant possibly a notable absentee without a contract for the start of practice July 28, second-year players Jackson and Wynn stand to benefit the first few days with the extra work they'll get running with the No. 1 unit. Jackson had the lion's share of reps in camp last year, before Grant arrived on the scene and later emerged as a dynamic back. Jackson bounced back from a sluggish rookie season and showed promise in Grant-less offseason workouts. The powerful Wynn is a better runner than Jackson in the Packers' zone-blocking scheme, but Wynn has a lot to prove in the next month that he can finally stay healthy and be committed to football.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Brady Poppinga vs. Brandon Chillar for starting SLB -- Two-year incumbent Poppinga has the starting job entering camp and a new four-year, $17 million contract extension. Chillar, though, bolted St. Louis in free agency to sign a two-year, $5.4 million deal with the intention of winning a lead role. ... Daryn Colledge vs. Allen Barbre for starting LG -- Colledge also is a two-year starting incumbent who has the job for now but maybe not for long. Barbre, a developmental prospect as a rookie last year, would be an athletic upgrade at the position if he can outperform Colledge in pads.

ROOKIE REPORT: In a change of direction from the past, the Packers waited until the last week before the start of training camp to get deals done with their draft picks, but first-year negotiator Russ Ball completed the task in rapid fashion. Not having a first-rounder eased the condensed process. The nine players signed to four-year contracts in time for the start of the first day of practice July 28 were the second-round trio of WR Jordy Nelson, QB Brian Brohm and CB Pat Lee, third-round TE Jermichael Finley, the fourth-round duo of DE Jeremy Thompson and G Josh Sitton, fifth-round OT Breno Giacomini and the seventh-round tandem of QB Matt Flynn and WR Brett Swain.

INJURY REPORT: The Packers opened training camp July 28 with concern at defensive tackle, a position of strength last season. Projected starter Johnny Jolly (shoulder) and 2007 first-round draft pick Justin Harrell (back) were PUP candidates because of surgical procedures that kept them sidelined during offseason workouts. On the positive side for the defensive line, tackle Colin Cole (forearm) and pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) were expected to be ready for the start of camp.

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