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• The Packers (5-5) are hungry for a win, having lost three in a row for the first time since 2008 and trailing NFC North co-leaders Detroit and Chicago by a game. Green Bay has a quick turnaround after playing the last-place Vikings (2-8) on Sunday, traveling to Detroit to play the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
• McCarthy said there is a sense of urgency this week as the Packers try to stay in contention for a third consecutive division title and a spot in the playoffs.
• "We understand what our record is," McCarthy said. "But this is one moment, this is one opportunity, and we're just focused on the result for Sunday - and that's about winning. We're not doing extra calisthenics or doing extra PowerPoints or anything like that."
• The Packers secondary is the latest unit to get banged up. Green Bay has four of its seven cornerbacks on an extensive injury report this week.
• Casey Hayward remains out with a hamstring injury. After missing the last game with a bad hamstring, Sam Shields is questionable for Sunday's game. Shields didn't practice this week.
• "It is what it is. I can't worry about it," cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said about Shields. "If he's not available, he's not available. I don't put any extra or unneeded effort into Sam not being here. I need to worry about the guys that are available getting them prepared and getting them ready to go win a football game. I don't put anything into not having Sam, not having Casey."
• And rookie Micah Hyde didn't practice the last two days because of a groin injury, though he is probable.
• Whitt insisted his depleted position group managed to function with only Tramon Williams, Davon House and Jarrett Bush available to practice Thursday and Friday.
• "We got the work done," Whitt said. "Nobody cares about who's available. Everybody's only thing is results, and we're trying to put a plan together to get us a win. Nobody's saying, 'Well, we don't have this guy, we don't have that guy.' Nobody cares."
• The potential loss of Shields for a second straight game is significant as former Packers receiver Greg Jennings makes his first visit to Lambeau Field since signing with Minnesota in the offseason. Green Bay held Jennings to one catch for 9 yards in its 44-31 win over the Vikings on Oct. 27 in Minneapolis.
• Shields leads the Packers with 15 pass breakups this season, one short of his career high.
• "Sam is very important to this defense," Whitt said. "Him and (linebacker) Clay (Matthews) are probably the two standouts right now, but we don't have him. So I'm not going to be in a woe-is-me mentality right now."

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