Packers ILB Desmond Bishop (calf) confirmed he expects to be medically cleared for the regular season.

Bishop is currently on the NFI list, and remains without a timetable. Given his history of calf issues, this has potential to be a long-term injury. D.J. Smith will get an extended look opposite A.J. Hawk in training camp.

Packers ILB Desmond Bishop failed his training camp physical after suffering a calf strain in a workout last week.

"Don't really have a time frame because we've had some history with his calf last year and missed a couple weeks," explained coach Mike McCarthy. "I'm sure we'll be cautious before we get him back out there." Also failing the Packers physical were FB John Kuhn (knee), OT Derek Sherrod (leg), TE Andrew Quarless (knee), OG Jaymes Brooks (hamstring), DL Johnny Jones (knee) and OLB Frank Zombo (hamstring).

Assistant Winston Moss says ILB Desmond Bishop has the potential to be "as good as any linebacker in the league."

Bishop has quietly been a beast for the Packers since seizing the starting "Mack" linebacker job. Over the last two seasons, he's averaged 7.7 tackles per game while adding eight sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception. There aren't many safer IDP bets at the linebacker position.

Packers ILB Desmond Bishop returned to action in Week 16 after missing three games with a calf injury.

Bishop racked up a team-high 12 tackles against the Bears. "I thought it was a good step, him coming back," DC Dom Capers said. "He flew around. His production was pretty high. He was involved in a lot of plays."

Packers declared LB Desmond Bishop, LB A.J. Hawk, LT Chad Clifton, LB Jamari Lattimore, TE D.J. Williams, OG Josh Sitton, and CB Davon House inactive for Week 13 against the Giants.

The Packers are expected to start rookie D.J. Smith and Robert Francois at inside linebacker, improving Eli Manning's already tasty matchup. Sitton is Green Bay's best lineman, so the holes may not be as big for James Starks this week.

The Packers have ruled out ILBs Desmond Bishop and AJ Hawk for Week 13 due to calf injuries.

We'd say this was an upgrade for the Giants' running game if the Giants had a running game. They don't. The Packers are expected to start rookie D.J. Young and practice squad type Robert Francois in Sunday's game versus New York.

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Packers ILBs Desmond Bishop (calf) and AJ Hawk (calf) are in doubt for Week 13 at the Giants "and perhaps longer."

Both players missed the entirety of the second half. Bishop's injury is considered the more serious of the two. He was sporting crutches after the game and will head for an MRI on Monday. Rookie D.J. Smith replaced Bishop while Rob Francois filled in for Hawk.

Packers ILB Desmond Bishop was on crutches in the locker room after injuring his calf in Thursday's win.

"I just took off to run and it kind of popped on me," said Bishop. We never like to hear it when players say they felt or heard a muscle "pop." Working in Bishop's favor will be a 10-day layoff before next week's game versus Oakland.

Packers ILB Desmond Bishop left Thursday's game against the Lions with a calf injury.

Bishop, who came into the game nursing a calf issue, limped off in the first quarter. He was replaced by rookie D.J. Smith. Bishop is questionable to return.

Desmond Bishop joined James Farrior as the only inside linebackers to earn ratings above +4.0 in Pro Football Focus' run defense, pass rush, and pass coverage metrics.

Bishop earned a +7.7 grade in his first start of the season, the highest single-game grade PFF has given to a linebacker. He followed that up with a +6.3 rating in his second start, good for sixth-best in the past three years. A special teamer at the beginning of the season, Bishop was easily Green Bay's best inside linebacker by the playoffs. He's now a building block on Dom Caper's defense.

Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Desmond Bishop is atop the Packers' depth chart at inside linebacker.

Bishop is locked in as a starter, with AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett battling for the other spot. "He's probably the most instinctive guy in the defensive front seven," said McCarthy of Bishop. Still just 26, Bishop averaged 8.58 tackles per start last season while forcing two fumbles, making three sacks, and returning a pick 32 yards for a touchdown. He'll be an IDP to target in 2011.

Packers signed ILB Desmond Bishop to a four-year, $19 million extension through 2014.

Premier NFL inside 'backers typically get $6 million-a-year contracts, so this looks like absolute robbery for GM Ted Thompson. Bishop, 26 and previously slated for 2011 free agency, has been a wrecking machine and averaged nearly nine tackles per game since replacing Nick Barnett in Week 5. Bishop has also racked up three sacks, a 32-yard pick six, and two forced fumbles. The extension likely means that AJ Hawk won't be back next season.

The Packers have begun contract extension talks with linebacker Desmond Bishop.

Bishop is having a career year, starting in place of injured LB Nick Barnett. The Packers have a bevy of players waiting for extensions, but Bishop has seemingly leapfrogged everyone except CB Tramon Williams. Uncertainty surrounding CBA negotiations could make an extension difficult, but it seems both parties are willing to make things work. A Bishop signing could signal the end of A.J. Hawk in Green Bay.

Desmond Bishop will start at inside linebacker for the Packers with Nick Barnett (wrist) potentially out for the season.

Bishop should be owned in IDP leagues. Though he projects as an on-field downgrade from Barnett, the hard hitter will be playing the most tackle-friendly position in Green Bay's defense. He's a better IDP bet than AJ Hawk.

Desmond Bishop isn't sure what else he needs to do to prove he's worthy of being a starter.

"I know what I can do, but I'm not sure they do," he said of the Packers. "... I feel like I can be, and I will be one of the top tier linebackers in the NFL if I get the opportunity." Bishop usually tears it up in August, only to be relegated to special teams duty once the regular season begins. With A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett in front of him, Bishop might have to go elsewhere to prove he has the goods.

Packers ILB Desmond Bishop is once again campaigning for more playing time.

Bishop is always impressive in preseason, so we'd like to see more of him in real games too. Unfortunately, the Packers are paying AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett way more money. "It's a real sticky situation," Bishop said. "I want to be out there badly. At the same time, some people out there don't even have jobs."