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Hang on; help is on the way for Packers

If a win can be classified as discouraging, the Green Bay Packers' victory over the Detroit Lions might fall into that category.

For a team that's supposed to have Super Bowl aspirations, beating the lowly Lions—winners of only two of their last 37 games—is expected to come in more dominating fashion.

The fallout from the Lions game dampened spirits even further when it was learned that rookie safety Morgan Burnett was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

But for those looking at the glass half full—those hoping that the Super Bowl is a distinct reality and not merely wishful thinking—Sunday was just one more game closer to the probable return of the two significant players on the Packers' Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Safety Atari Bigby and cornerback Al Harris can, and will, help the team's cause—as long as they're healthy—when they're eligible to come off the PUP list after Week 6.

In poker terms, most NFL teams would check when dealt a hand of injuries. In the case of the Packers, they'll raise.

"It's good," cornerback Charles Woodson said after Sunday's win. "It adds depth to the team. And then you get two guys who are starters and great players in this league, so it will be good to get those guys back."

With the loss of Burnett, the Packers are in dire need of help at safety, precisely the reason they offered Bigby a second-round tender as a restricted free agent this past off-season and now have him in their back pocket.

The Packers will likely have to make due with some combination of Charlie Peprah, Derrick Martin or Jarrett Bush opposite Nick Collins at safety while they wait for Bigby's return. But that's a small sacrifice in exchange for the peace of mind he'll bring to the Packers' secondary.

Bigby underwent ankle surgery in early August (what he described as merely a "cleanup"), five weeks before the start of the regular season. Once he's eligible to come off the PUP list after Week 6, it will have been about three months post-surgery for the veteran safety.

That should be enough time for Bigby to rehab and recover from his surgical procedure, just in time for the Packers to make a playoff push in the second half of the season.

While Bigby hasn't shown to be the same player who won the NFC's Defensive Player of the Month award in December 2007, he at least brings a steadying influence to a depleted defensive backfield and is the type of player who doesn't get beat deep.

Cornerback, meanwhile, may be a less-pressing need for the Packers, thanks to the strong play of Woodson and Tramon Williams. Nonetheless, the team will be buoyed by the return of Harris, a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Harris suffered a devastating knee injury, far more complicated than just an ACL tear, during the 2009 season. So it's not surprising it has taken this long for him to return to form.

"My rehab is going excellent, can't complain," said Harris, while meeting with local media Monday. "We're doing all that we can do. Things are going well. We're 3-1. It's a good day."

Harris may be held to a "snap count" upon his return to game action—similar to the way the Packers slowly brought along linebacker Nick Barnett after knee surgery a season ago.

But once he does return, it will allow the Packers more flexibility in their defense to best utilize their personnel.

Sam Shields and Bush have been surprisingly solid at the nickel cornerback position. However, the arrival of Harris may allow the Packers to use Shields or Bush in the dime defensive package instead, a package they were hesitant to use against the pass-heavy Lions.

Harris' return also may free up Woodson to more often line up on the opponent's slot receiver, where he's more likely to blitz and be a general nuisance for the opposing offense.

Also eligible to come off the PUP list after Week 6 is rookie running back James Starks. Seeing he hasn't played a competitive game since the 2008 season, any possibility of Starks contributing this season is dubious. However, some may argue that he couldn't hurt an already ailing running game.

At the very least, the Packers can take comfort in knowing reinforcements are on their way.

Brian Carriveau is the editor of Maple Street Press Packers Annual and also writes for CheeseheadTV.com.