For a team that can’t generate enough of a pass rush, losing the only guy who can consistently get pressure isn’t what the Green Bay Packers need as they’re about to face a quarterback like Tony Romo.
The Packers could be in that predicament when they play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in what is practically a must-win game. Outside linebacker Aaron Kampman’s head remained foggy on Monday, a day after he sustained a concussion in the 38-28 loss at Tampa Bay.
Kampman said he took a blow to the left side of his head on the fourth play of the game yet he remained in the game until midway through the fourth quarter. That he still was symptomatic Monday doesn’t bode well for his availability this week.
“I’ve been better,” Kampman said. “Just a little sore. I’ve got to get some rest.”
The eight-year veteran said “it’s been a while” since his last concussion, saying it came “early in my career.”
Brady Poppinga played the final 7:15 in place of Kampman, but earlier in the game Jeremy Thompson got a couple of snaps at left outside linebacker, so either or both could be used if Kampman can’t play against the Cowboys.
“As far as his availability for this week’s work, it’s still up in the air,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Kampman.
Kampman said he was given one concussion test on Monday but indicated he won’t know his status until later in the week, possibly not until game day.
Despite having trouble with his vision and a pounding headache, Kampman managed to register five tackles and a quarterback hit against the Bucs.
“I think it affected his play,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but there’s no doubt in my mind, after watching the tape, that he was affected. You could see there were a couple of things that just weren’t right. It’s a credit to him that he wants to fight though, but I think it affected his play.”
Kampman has only three sacks this season and hasn’t had one since Oct. 25 against Cleveland, but at least he’s been able to apply some regular pressure. He’s far and away the Packers’ leader in terms of quarterback hits. He increased his team-leading total in that category to 25. The next closest player is right outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who has nine. Only two other players — defensive end Cullen Jenkins (7) and linebacker Nick Barnett (5) — have more than four.
The Packers have had only one sack — by linebacker A.J. Hawk against Tampa Bay — in the past two games combined, and now they’re facing a quarterback in Romo who thrives on getting into a rhythm and making plays down the field to receiver Miles Austin. Romo has been especially hot of late. In the Cowboys’ four-game winning streak, he has thrown nine touchdown passes and had just one interception.
The Cowboys have a gigantic offensive line with left tackle Flozell Adams (6-foot-7, 338 pounds) and right guard Leonard Davis (6-6, 353), and last season in their 27-16 victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field on Sept. 21, the only guy to give them any problems was Kampman. He had 1½ of the three sacks and four of the seven hits the Packers recorded on Romo.
