Glauber: Depleted Packers are hanging in

Another day, another injury, another lineup change.

Same old same old for the Green Bay Packers, who added yet another player yesterday to an already long list of walking wounded.

This time, it was starting outside linebacker Brad Jones who went on season-ending injured reserve after aggravating a shoulder injury in Sunday night's dramatic 28-24 win over the Vikings.

He joins nine other Packers on injured reserve, an avalanche of aches and pains that began with a Week 1 foot injury to starting tailback Ryan Grant and has shown no signs of letting up.

"We're hopeful that ours [injuries] all came at once and we're past it," coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday as the Packers began preparations for Sunday's game against the Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium. "It's just part of the game. I don't mean to be rude, I have to talk about injuries every week, but we're getting ready."

Injuries are a part of every NFL team in every season, but some teams are hit harder than others. And none harder than the Packers this year. In addition to losing Grant, they've also seen tight end Jermichael Finley, linebacker Nick Barnett, safety Morgan Burnett and now Jones gone for the year.

Then again, the Packers did escape further damage a couple weeks ago, when quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion in an overtime loss to the Redskins. Fortunately for Rodgers, his symptoms cleared several days later, and he hasn't missed a start. And linebacker Clay Matthews has recovered from a hamstring problem after missing a game.

It is therefore no small accomplishment that the Packers are through the first seven weeks with a 4-3 record and a share of first place in the NFC North.

"We've been fortunate to have a very deep team, and we can count on guys who are asked to step in," Rodgers said. "In the meantime, we're confident in the guys we've got."

The Packers have scraped by in the running game, with Brandon Jackson shouldering most of the burden created by Grant's absence. Jackson leads the Packers with 363 rushing yards and a 4.5-yard average. And Rodgers has done a solid job in the passing game, although his interceptions total (9) is higher than he'd like. Rodgers has 12 touchdowns and is coming off a win over the man he replaced, Brett Favre.

But Rodgers understands he has arguably the biggest challenge ahead of him against the Jets and Rex Ryan's defensive scheme.

"I don't really see a lot of holes. They have a very good defense," he said. "They're stout up front. They have experience in their linebacking corps. They have a number of guys who can cover, maybe the best 1-2 combo in Darrelle Revis and [Antonio] Cromartie. We'll have to find a way to execute our plays and move the ball."

Ryan was equally complimentary of Rodgers, suggesting that the six-year veteran is one of the league's best at throwing on the run. It means the Jets' pass rushers need to be mindful of not letting Rodgers get out of the pocket, where he does some of his most prolific work.

"Like my kid says, 'Rodgers is the top quarterback in fantasy football,' so I appreciate that," Ryan joked. "He can run it, he's accurate with the ball. He's probably the most accurate kid on the move, and he keeps plays alive with his feet. This is going to be a good challenge for us."

But Ryan likes his chances. "I like the fact that we're playing at home with our fan base. So you're not only playing us, you're playing against our fans, too. We'll see how he does against that."

Game on, fellas.

"There's no time for any sort of letdown," Rodgers said of playing the Jets after an emotional win over the Vikings. "It has to be the opposite. We have to be more intense, more focused. It's just the guys in our locker room against a rowdy crowd and a tough opponent."

Doesn't make it any easier that the Packers aren't playing with a full deck. No excuses, though.

"We've talked about injuries enough," Rodgers said. "We believe in the guys we've got."