Earlier this week, Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer got a refund on the security deposit for the apartment he leased in Green Bay after the Packers drafted him in the fifth round last April.
Sunday at Lambeau Field, Hillenmeyer looks for his payback.
“I think it’d be pretty nice to go up there and make a few tackles on special teams and have their coaches thinking, `Wait a second, we cut this guy three months ago, why is he beating our special teams guys?'” Hillenmeyer said.
The Packers let Hillenmeyer go after training camp, because of the numbers game, and the Bears signed him to the practice squad Sept. 12. He joined the active roster Oct. 2 after the Bears cut Bobbie Howard, and he has contributed steadily on special teams.
The linebacker who led the NCAA in tackles last season at Vanderbilt has made eight special-teams stops, forced a fumble and plays on both return teams.
“It feels good to contribute because it’s hard when you’re on the practice squad not to get in the games,” Hillenmeyer said.
It won’t be his first taste of Lambeau Field or the NFL’s oldest rivalry. He played in two home exhibition games for the Packers and remembers how coaches stressed how important beating the Bears was from his first day on the job.
“I can’t wait,” Hillenmeyer said, “and I know from experience they can’t either.” . . .
Injury update
Right tackle Aaron Gibson and cornerback R.W. McQuarters practiced Friday and coach Dick Jauron expects both to play Sunday. They are listed as probable. Safety Mike Green worked out for the third straight day. Jauron said Green and Bobby Gray will “both end up playing a lot. We’ll see how it works out toward game time.” . . . Guard Chris Villarrial, suffering from a strained oblique muscle, was downgraded to doubtful. Terrence Metcalf figures to get his first start of the season as the offensive line faces its first starting-lineup change in 10 games. . . . Offensive coordinator John Shoop has a plan to involve Brock Forsey if Anthony Thomas needs a break, but he isn’t sure Thomas will need–or want–one. “I have a feeling this will be the type of game if he gets going it’s going to be awfully hard for him to come out,” Shoop said. “He feels strong.”
Turnover trend
The Packers are 0-6 in games this season in which either quarterback Brett Favre or running back Ahman Green has lost a fumble. They also have a minus-15 turnover ratio in those six losses.
