GREEN BAY — While Sean Richardson will definitely have a role in the Green Bay Packers defense, neither coach Mike McCarthy nor defensive coordinator Dom Capers was willing to anoint him as the starter Monday.

Richardson replaced incumbent starter M.D. Jennings during Sunday's 22-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, but the Packers stopped short of naming him the starter alongside Morgan Burnett for next Sunday's game at Dallas.

"No, we haven't made any decisions that way," Capers said. "I think both of them will have a role and it kind of depends on how the game goes. We felt at the time with having a big back in there [in Steven Jackson] and having Sean being able to step in there and play that, you saw him make a couple nice physical tackles up in there and supporting on the run."

Richardson played 38 snaps to Jennings' 21 Sunday. The only time Richardson came off the field after taking over for Jennings to start the second half was when the shield inside his facemask iced over and had to be scraped off on the sideline.

"I liked what he did on defense," McCarthy said. "Sean brings an attitude, an energy, juice. So he may get some more opportunities this week."

Because Richardson is much bigger (6-foot-2, 216 pounds) than Jennings (6-feet, 195 pounds), he makes more sense as a physical, up-in-the-box, run-support safety. But Capers said he believes Richardson can also do OK in coverage, where Jennings would seemingly have the advantage.

Richardson was activated off the physically unable to perform list last month after suffering a season-ending neck injury that required spinal fusion of the C5 C6 vertebrae last year.

"I thought he went in and did a nice job. What we asked him to do, you can see he's got a physical presence to him in terms of being able to step up in there, had a couple nice plays on the run, filled on the run," Capers said. "So we'll continue to work him. You think about it, he's only been back a few weeks here now.

"He'll have another week of practice, and I can see him playing more possibly this week."

Jason Wilde  wrote:

Will he start? I love this question. Now that's a good question for an article to ask. I am tired of the Rodgers talk these days.

My guess is no. My heart says yes though. I feel like the staff will give Jennings time in there at his starting spot and see how things go. Our injuries at ILB play a role in this too as we could see more safeties on the field than normal in certain situations.

Originally Posted by: DarkaneRules