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          NFL Nation

          No guarantee Morgan Burnett's return will fix Packers' run defense

          • Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff WriterSep 17, 2015, 02:45 PM ET
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              Rob Demovsky is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Green Bay Packers. He has covered the Packers since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2013. Demovsky is a two-time Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year as selected by the NSSA. You can follow him on Twitter at @RobDemovsky.
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          GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Morgan Burnett missed last year's Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints, who rushed for 193 yards against the Green Bay Packers' defense sans their starting strong safety.

          That was the third-highest rushing total the Packers allowed last season.

          Without Burnett for last Sunday's season opener against the Chicago Bears, the Packers' defense allowed 189 yards rushing – the second most in the NFL in Week 1.

          Burnett appears to be over his strained calf -- the same injury to the same leg that kept him out for that game against the Saints -- and should make his 2015 debut Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, yet he's making no promises that his team's run defense will fare better against Marshawn Lynch.

          "To be honest with you, one guy doesn't make a difference," Burnett said. "It's a collective effort, a collective group, and we make each other look good, we make each other better. Honestly, one guy doesn't make a difference to me. We've got enough guys in this locker room that can make plays and can step in and make plays."

          Burnett took part in Thursday's practice, his first full-pads practice since training camp.

          "Morgan is kind of our vet and a really stabilizing influence back in the back," Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said.

          Burnett's return fills one hole, but another was created when starting inside linebacker Sam Barrington suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Bears. Nate Palmer, Barrington's likely replacement, had his left hand back in the same club cast he wore during training camp. He played Sunday with a much smaller split, but might have experienced a setback.