Packers Drop Preseason Opener to Chargers

The Green Bay Packers lost 21-13 to the San Diego Chargers in their 2012 preseason opener Thursday.

The team hopes it hasn't lost starting linebacker  Desmond Bishop for a long period of time.  Bishop was injured in the first quarter during a tackle when a group of players fell on his awkwardly positioned right leg.

After the game Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Bishop suffered a knee sprain and potentially an injury to his hamstring.  Further tests will reveal the severity of the injury.

Green Bay started the game in a good way as first round pick Nick Perry sacked Chargers QB Phillip Rivers on the second play from scrimmage.  Perry then picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration, although it was unclear what drew the flag.

The Packers offense failed to get out of the gates fast in the first half.  After converting a third-down to James Jones, James Starks fumbled the handoff exchange from Aaron Rodgers on the next play.  Former Packer safety Atari Bigby recovered the fumble.

Rivers then connected with tight end Antonio Gates for 23 yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field after Gates put a double move on M.D. Jennings.

The two squads then exchanged turnovers as Green Bay reserve WR Diondre Borel lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but Tramon Williams would intercept Rivers on San Diego's next drive.

Rodgers struggled going just 2-of-8 for 16 yards and registering a 0.0 QB rating.  The reigning MVP also threw an interception to Avion Cason on his last throw of the game.  On the play, reserve left tackle Herb Taylor was beat by rookie first rounder Melvin Ingram who hit Rodgers as he was throwing.

The Packers finished with four fumbles (three lost) and that interception.  Green Bay linebacker A.J. Hawk recovered a fumble, and safety Anthony Levine recorded an interception.

San Diego scored again in the second quarter when Jarrett Lee tossed a 27-yard TD pass to Vincent Brown.

The Packers finally got on the scoreboard with :32 seconds left in the first half when backup QB Graham Harrell connected with Randall Cobb for a 3-yard touchdown.

Harrell finished 15-of-27 for 135 yards and one touchdown in his first live-action game as the Packers second-string signal caller.

Undrafted free agent running back Marc Tyler was Green Bay's leading rusher finishing with 32 yards and a touchdown.  After Tyler's fourth quarter TD, the Packers went for the lead but failed on a two-point conversion.

San Diego padded its lead with a one-yard touchdown run by Curtis Brinkley with 1:56 left in the 4^th quarter.

The Packers return to action next Thursday when they make their preseason home debut against Cleveland.