Harrell could make first NFL start Sunday

GREEN BAY, Wis. — If Green Bay defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (groin) can’t play Sunday against Chicago, first-round pick Justin Harrell would make his first NFL start.

Harrell said he’s not anxious about the possibility of his first start, partly because he won’t know until Sunday.

“This is one of the things you kind of find out when you get out there,” Harrell said. “I know there’s going to be a lot of emotions in this game, I’m going to have to kind of control it and make sure that I’m going out there and doing my job.”

The Packers selected Harrell with the 16th overall pick in April’s draft even though he tore a tendon in his left biceps after three games at Tennessee. Harrell said the arm has long since healed following surgery, but he still was inactive for nine games, in part due to the depth at the position.

“Just look at his performance the last two weeks. He’s like a number of our younger players. He just needs an opportunity, particularly in live reps, so he’s made progress and if Ryan doesn’t play, this will be a big step for him because obviously his reps will increase,” Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

Harrell, who will wear a cast Sunday to protect his left thumb that he dislocated against the Rams, said he was fine with being inactive because the organization explained what they wanted him to accomplish while he worked on putting on weight and learned the defensive scheme.

“Talking with family members, veteran guys on this team, coaches, we pretty much all had a good understanding of what was going on earlier in the year. It all happened for a reason,” he said.

Harrell said each of his teammates on the line has made a contribution, and he appreciates a bigger opportunity if he gets it on Sunday.

“It would be my first NFL start, that’s always a big thing, a great accomplishment for me,” Harrell said. “I’m just going to approach it like every other game, just be out there a little sooner and just be ready to go.”