GREEN BAY – Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn’t giving up on Chad Clifton playing just yet, the Packers got their two hurting defensive linemen back at practice and Jared Allen is licking his chops at playing against Daryn Colledge – those are the storylines of the day around 1265 Lombardi Ave. and at the Vikings’ Winter Park facility in suburban Minneapolis …

> First, the injury report: Green Bay – S Atari Bigby (knee), RB Brandon Jackson (ankle) and LB Jeremy Thompson (knee) are out; LT Chad Clifton (ankle) is questionable; DE Cullen Jenkins (groin), DE Johnny Jolly (abdominal muscle), NT B.J. Raji (ankle), WR Greg Jennings (wrist) and CB Charles Woodson (foot) are probable. Minnesota – LB Erin Henderson (calf) and WR/PR Darius Reynaud (hamstring) are doubtful; LG Steve Hutchinson (back) and FB Naufahu Tahi (back) are questionable; QB Brett Favre (foot), CB Cedric Griffin (hand), LB E.J. Henderson (shoulder), TE Jim Kleinsasser (hand) and P Chris Kluwe (illness) are probable.

> Clifton sat out his third straight day of practice, but McCarthy still held out hope of him playing against the Vikings, despite the coach’s proclamation on Monday that if Clifton did not practice he would not play.

“I just had an opportunity to watch Chad go through a workout. He's making progress,” McCarthy said. “He will go through a workout Monday over there in the dome. Whatever status that puts him in, that's what we're looking at.”

Asked if he’s still considering starting Clifton, McCarthy replied, “That's something that I'd like to determine Monday. … There were some things that he did in his workout today that were very encouraging compared to the workout he was put through two days ago, and there's a couple things that we need to see him do Monday. And if I see what I like, and Dr. Pat McKenzie is OK with it from a medical standpoint, he'll have an opportunity to play in the game.”

Further pressed on the issue, McCarthy finally said, “I fully anticipate Daryn Colledge starting at left tackle, if you're looking for a statement.”

> McCarthy said Jolly should “be fine” and that Raji “practiced well. I’m curious to see how he feels in the morning. I would anticipate that he’ll go, unless we have a setback in the morning.”

> Saturday’s practice went a little longer than normal for the final practice of the week because the Packers were not particularly sharp, especially for the scout team, which was supposed to be showing the starters the Vikings’ looks.

“I thought that the two padded practices (Thursday and Friday) were good practices. I was not particularly happy about today's practice,” McCarthy said. “But it was more about our opponent squads. We didn't do a very good job frankly. … We had some repeated plays today because of that. “

> McCarthy had a good line when asked if there’s anything magical about his 14-5 record against NFC North opponents. “Yeah, I still can't get over some of the ones we've lost,” McCarthy replied.

> While McCarthy expressed confidence in Colledge blocking Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen – “He's up for the challenge,” McCarthy said, “(and) I think he's really improved with each practice” – Allen certainly likes his chances against Colledge.

Speaking with the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Judd Zulgad (a day after my story about Colledge’s challenge against Allen was posted), Allen said he’s prepared for both Colledge and Clifton.

Asked how he’d like to slide from left guard to left tackle and have to face himself, Allen replied, “(It’s be) pretty tough, and I’m going to make it as tough as I can. There’s guys that struggle that play tackle so it will be fun. It’s going to be interesting. You expect them to [provide] some help over there with chips and stuff like that. You rock with it. But the more they have to worry about a certain position the more we have other people free."