Callahan rejoins team

Rookie quarterback added to practice squad

Green Bay — Joe Callahan once again will wear a Green Bay Packers uniform.

The rookie quarterback took a circuitous path, but he has returned to the place where he started his season. Callahan, undrafted out of Wesley College, is joining the Packers’ practice squad after the Cleveland Browns dropped him from their 53-man roster Monday.

The Packers have not yet announced the signing, but they created space on their 10-man practice squad by releasing wide receiver Dez Stewart.

Callahan started his season as the third quarterback on the Packers’ 53-man roster this fall. He stayed with the Packers for five weeks, inactive each of their first four games, before being released to open up a roster spot for a defensive player.

The Packers intended to stash Callahan on their practice squad, but the New Orleans Saints instead added him to their 53-man roster. The Saints released him one week later, and he was then signed by the Browns.

Callahan started two games in the exhibition season because backup Brett Hundley was sidelined with a sprained ankle. He completed 54 of 88 passes (61.4%) for 499 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in four exhibitions.

The impersonator: The running ability of quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to punish teams that play man coverage in crucial situations. Rodgers sees the open lanes and sprints downfield for sizable gains.

To prepare for his athleticism, the Houston Texans might be turning to a mobile quarterback of their own. Sort of.

Earlier this year, the Texans drafted former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, who converted to wide receiver before the end of his college career. Miller has 15 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown this season at his new position.

This week, however, coach Bill O’Brien may have asked Miller to simulate Rodgers on the scout-team offense. O’Brien was caught off guard when asked about that possibility earlier this week.

“Ah,” O’Brien said with a pause. “I’m going to no-comment that question . ... We have different ways to use Braxton, we’ve used him at quarterback, we’ve done that already this year, we do a lot of different things with him on special teams, so that’s kind of the nature of his skill set.”

Injury report: The coaching staff managed practice reps for Rodgers, who is still recovering from the hamstring injury suffered against the Eagles.

Rodgers split reps with Hundley during the portion of practice open to the media. He also spent time rehabbing with the trainers off to the side of the field.

Despite the reduced workload, Rodgers is still expected to play Sunday. The limited involvement was more cautionary than anything else.

Aside from quarterback, most of the attention centered on inside linebacker, where injuries have thinned the Packers’ ranks. Clay Matthews (shoulder), Jake Ryan (ankle) and Blake Martinez (knee) were all limited participants. Matthews and Ryan appeared to take more reps than Martinez during the periods open to the media.

Cornerback Demetri Goodson (knee), linebacker Kyler Fackrell (hamstring), center/guard JC Tretter (knee) and guard T.J. Lang (foot) did not practice.

“T.J.’s getting better, so we’ll see where he is yet,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s in the rehab group to start off, but he may accelerate into some of the individual. We’ll see how it goes from here.”

Cornerbacks Damarious Randall (groin) and LaDarius Gunter (back) also were limited participants.

For the Texans, backup running back Alfred Blue (calf) was able to practice on a limited basis.

Inside advice: They still talk quite frequently, including a lengthy chat earlier this week, and conversations between former college teammates Matthews and Brian Cushing sometimes have yielded advice.

When Matthews moved to inside linebacker in 2014, he first sought his father’s guidance. Clay Matthews Sr. played 19 seasons as an NFL linebacker. He earned four Pro Bowl trips in a five-year span and was named a Hall of Fame semifinalist this month.

Some of Matthews’ most helpful counsel might have come from Cushing. Though the Texans’ eighth-year inside linebacker spent much of his career in a 4-3 base defense, different than the Packers’ base 3-4, Cushing said he has talked in the past about Matthews’ move inside.

“There’s certain things,” Cushing said, “I think he’s asked me just kind of what I think about just the inside (linebacker) perspective, what helps with my game, what do I do. And same thing if I was to ever move outside, I’d ask him.”

Matthews, who lined up next to Cushing at USC, might deploy some of those lessons Sunday when the Packers host the Texans.

There’s only one thing better than beating the Gophers 12 times in a row ...... 13 times !!!! #AxeDomination

@CoreyClement_6 (UW running back)

Once again. Through the adversity, we always find a way to stick together and get the W! Proud teammates love you guys!

@dekker (former UW forward Sam Dekker)

Crazy that a year ago tomorrow marks 1 year since my back surgery. The road back wasn’t the most fun but it’s been more than worth it!!

@roselavelle (UW women’s soccer midfielder)

Loved every second of wearing this jersey. Such an honor representing Wisconsin the last 4 years with the people I love. Thank you Wisconsin

@gwenjorgensen (Olympic triathlete)

Awesome to chat to my old swim team Waukesha Express where my athletic career started at age 8! It was so nice to meet all the new kids.

@ShowTime_McKay (former Pulaski forward Jameel McKay)

I ain’t make my cousin funeral I’ll never forget it I hope he know I love him and I hope he forgive me

@raf_tyler (Whitnall guard Tyler Herro)

I intend to populate the twitter with children’s characters for Child Cancer Awareness Week. Give me a like and I’ll assign you a character. Hot takes: Clay Matthews called Allen Barbre’s block a “cheap shot.” Most Green Bay fans were surprised the ex-Packer even knew how to block. The right call: Gus Johnson will call the Big Ten Championship game. “Watt” is easier to say than “Antetokounmpo.”

Jeff Maillet “We’re not in it, so I really have no interest in watching it or anything like that.” LEBRON TO WEAR CUB JERSEY TO PAY OFF BET