Packers LE B.J. Raji says he's in "pretty good shape."

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported earlier this offseason that Raji was overweight and out of shape when he reported to OTAs. "I'm not going to say I was in tip-top shape coming back, but that's what the offseason's for," Raji - who is angling for a long-term contract - said. "So everybody came back, and I know those reports got out there. I can't worry about that." Raji went on to say he wants to "dominate the game." Raji hasn't been dominant since 2010, but bounced back last season after a rough 2011.

LE B.J. Raji expects the Packers to "do right" in long-term talks.

Raji is going into the final year of his rookie contract. "I'm not really going to talk contracts," Raji said. "Obviously, the Packers are a great organization and I'm sure they'll do right by me. I'll leave it at that." Raji has been uneven since coming into the league in 2009, but bounced back last season after a rough 2011. He played nearly 200 fewer snaps as the Pack looked to keep him fresher, and it appears to have paid off on the field. Raji could get paid some time during camp.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirms the Packers will explore an extension with NT B.J. Raji this offseason.

Raji technically has two years left on his deal, but 2014 is a voidable year. Raji is third in line for an extension after Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, but the sides should work hard toward a long-term pact. Whereas Rodgers' new deal is likely to be hammered out before the draft, Raji's may not come until training camp.

B.J. Raji triggered an escalator in his rookie deal, raising his 2013 salary from $4.09 million to $4.49 million.

Raji has started 46 games all over the Green Bay defensive line over the past three seasons, and he's one of the premier nose tackles in the game when healthy. Entering the final year of his contract, the Packers will look to work out a contract extension with Raji this offseason.

Coach Mike McCarthy said B.J. Raji's latest ankle injury is not as severe as his previous one.

Raji missed roughly three games after hurting his ankle in Week 5. His status for Sunday night's showdown with the Giants will be updated Wednesday.

B.J. Raji left Sunday's Week 11 win over the Lions in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.

Raji has been battling ankle woes for more than six weeks now. The severity of this aggravation is unknown. If Raji can't go in Week 12, it would be good news for the Giants' running back committee.

Packers NT B.J. Raji (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup in Week 8.

He's listed as probable. Raji's return is a blow to Rashad Jennings' Week 8 fantasy matchup, although Green Bay has also lost key run stoppers ILB D.J. Smith (ACL tear) and FS Charles Woodson (collarbone) for lengthy periods of time. Through five 2012 appearances, Raji has seven tackles and no sacks.

Packers NT B.J. Raji (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 7.

Raji will miss his second straight game with what appears to be a high ankle sprain. The absence of Green Bay's nose tackle improves Steven Jackson's Week 7 fantasy matchup. The Rams will also try to get Daryl Richardson on the edges.

Packers NT B.J. Raji (ankle, questionable) could not make it through practice on Friday.

He couldn't even make it through the rehab portion, which comes before team drills. Coach Mike McCarthy says Raji is capable of playing without practicing, but it's hard to imagine he'll be anywhere near 100 percent if active Sunday night against Houston. Losing Raji would be a huge blow to Green Bay's run defense.

Packers NT B.J. Raji (ankle) "has a chance" to play against the Texans Sunday.

Raji had to be carted to the locker room in Sunday's loss, and was spotted walking with a limp afterward, so his "chance" may be slim. We'll know more when the Packers return to practice on Wednesday.

Packers NT B.J. Raji (ankle) left the stadium Sunday with a limp.

Raji was carted off in the first half of the loss to the Colts. "I rolled my ankle, wasn't able to come back," he said. "There's nothing more to say." The Packers will update Raji's status Monday.

Packers NT B.J. Raji was carted to the locker room with a left ankle injury in Sunday's game against the Colts, and is questionable to return.

Raji hobbled off the field under his own power, but headed to the locker room after receiving treatment on the sideline. It appears he's avoided a high-ankle sprain, but it's still quite likely his afternoon is through.

The Packers intend to reduce DT B.J. Raji's snaps this season.

Along with the rest of the Packers' defense, Raji took a step back last year. It's possible he wore down after playing virtually every snap in the first three years of his career. "We have to be smart with him in terms of how much we play him, try to keep him fresh and keep him going," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. The Packers drafted two defensive tackles (Jerel Worthy, Mike Daniels) in the first four rounds of the draft.

The Packers are going to consider limiting DT B.J. Raji's snaps throughout the rest of the season in preparation for the playoffs.

"B.J.'s played too much to this point," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We've got to watch his numbers." The Packers started subbing Raji out more in Week 10 and Howard Green was the recipient of extra snaps. Of course, this will do nothing to dispel the premature concern that the Packers start resting skill position players, too.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, no nose tackle in football played as high of a snap percentage as B.J. Raji last season.

Raji played 85 percent of Green Bay's defensive downs because the Packers believe he can run the passer as well as plug the run. It's more a testament to Raji's superb all-around game than anything. Raji finished his first season as a full-time starter with 39 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three pass breakups. He added 10 quarterback pressures and a sack of Matt Ryan in the playoffs.

Fanhouse's J.J. Cooper reviewed tape of the Bears - Packers conference championship game and found that Packers NT B.J. Raji was blocked by the center on only seven of his 61 plays.

As Cooper points out, the Packers did not try to attack Eagles backup C Mike McGlynn in the Wildcard round, instead choosing to continue lining Raji up in the A-gap. The same may ring true on Sunday, as Raji could be asked to "shoot the gap," putting him up against Steelers' guards Chris Kemoeatu and Ramon Foster as opposed to backup center Doug Legursky. How Pittsburgh's interior line handles Raji will be a major storyline, yet a majority of the task might not fall on Legursky's shoulders.

NFL Network's Albert Breer reports that, "no matter what they say," the Packers plan to test Steelers fill-in C Doug Legursky early and often in Super Bowl XLV.

"And they expect big things from B.J. Raji," adds Breer. "I don't think Green Bay really believed (Maurkice) Pouncey would play." Raji is on a tear with 16 tackles, five sacks, five pass breakups, and an interception return for a touchdown in his last eight games. Legursky may need the best game of his life to keep Raji in check. At the very least, he'll be getting lots of help.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has called DT B.J. Raji the key to the Packers' defense.

LeBeau is an expert in the 3-4, but you don't have to be a genius to see the impact that Raji has had. The 2009 No. 9 overall pick has become an elite run stuffer in the middle that can't be blocked by one man. Raji's matchup with Steelers backup center Doug Legursky figures to be one of the biggest mismatches in the Super Bowl.

The Packers may use NT B.J. Raji again on offense this weekend after doing so in their 48-21 drubbing of the Falcons last Saturday.

Raji played just one snap on offense last Saturday, but it was an important one, as he was the lead blocker for John Kuhn on his one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. A load of a human being, don't be surprised if Raji not only blocks a play or two on offense this Sunday, but is given a carry of his own.

Packers NT B.J. Raji is believed to be "o.k." after taking a Cullen Jenkins knee to the head late in the Packers' 48-21 rout of the Falcons on Saturday.

He looked a little shaken up, but has apparently avoided a concussion. His status will likely be updated early this week, but don't expect bad news. As usual, he'll be one of the keys to the Packers' run defense in next week's NFC Championship game.