On Thanksgiving Day, the Green Bay Packers can be thankful for the unrivaled toughness of starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bulaga – who left last Sunday’s loss in San Francisco with a knee injury – was back in pads and participating during the portion of Thursday’s padded practice open to the media.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday he wasn’t ready to rule out Bulaga for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Thursday’s return to practice – even in a limited capacity – suggests Bulaga will have a legitimate chance to play on Sunday.
At the very least, Bulaga could be a game-time decision against the Giants based on how the knee responds to work this week. If he can’t go, the Packers could start second-year offensive tackle Alex Light or slide starting right guard Billy Turner out to tackle.
Light replaced Bulaga against the 49ers but struggled. Turner has past experience playing tackle and is ready to play there if needed.
Bulaga has started all 11 games for the Packers at right tackle this season.
The Packers will release an updated injury report later Thursday.