Harrell held back

It was learned that defensive tackle and former first round draft pick Justin Harrell had offseason surgery on his back, which is the reason he's not participating in the Green Bay Packers' Organized Team Activities (OTAs).

Harrell reportedly injured himself while weightlifting this offseason and had minor surgery about a month or so ago to repair it. The Packers never reported the injury until now, and it became known that the injury was to a disc in Harrell's back, a potentially serious issue.

That's why Harrell won't be participating in either the OTAs or mandatory minicamp in mid-June either.

"I'll be ready training camp," Harrell is quoted as saying in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This is the most important time, right here, to get yourself better, get more accustomed to the system. But I just have to do what I can, and what they let me do. Being frustrated is not going to change the situation."

Harrell's injury has left the Packers a little thin along the defensive line and especially at the defensive tackle position. Fellow defensive tackle Johnny Jolly will also be sitting out all of the OTAs as he recovers from his 2007 season-ending injury. In addition, both Colin Cole and Daniel Muir will be sitting out at least the beginning of the OTAs, but could re-join the action before they're over.

Among the only true defensive tackles are starter Ryan Pickett and a pair of untested players in Conrad Bolston and Alfred Malone. Due to the shortage, starting defensive end Cullen Jenkins has moved inside to tackle next to Pickett for the OTA sessions.

Jenkins is used to the position, though. He was a full-time defensive tackle at one point in his career and still moves inside on some passing downs.