GREEN BAY — While none the other mano-a-mano competitions touted before Green Bay Packers training camp — Daryn Colledge vs. Allen Barbre at left guard; Brady Poppinga vs. Brandon Chillar at strongside linebacker; Nick Collins vs. Aaron Rouse at safety; Tramon Williams vs. a cast of thousands for the third cornerback job — ever really got interesting, backup middle linebackers Abdul Hodge and Desmond Bishop rose to the occasion.

And as a result, both figure to be around after cuts are made to the NFL-mandated 53-man limit on Saturday.

"We think both those guys are good players and should factor somewhere," general manager Ted Thompson said.

That's because Hodge, finally healthy after missing last season following double-knee surgery to relieve tendinitis, and Bishop, who took Hodge's place as a rookie last year, have both had strong camps.

Bishop, a sixth-round pick in 2007, was bothered by an Achilles' tendon early and missed the first two preseason games, during which Hodge, a third-round pick in 2006, showed he was back to his pre-injury form.

"They've both come along tremendously," said linebackers coach Winston Moss, who worked Bishop at will linebacker this week while A.J. Hawk (chest) and Brandon Chillar (back) were out.

"Hodge has shown some of his best football since he's been here. And Bishop has maxed out every day. He's stil young, so he's still making some youthful mistakes out there with footwork and assignments, but he feels like he's 10 feet tall and bulletproof. He's going out there and letting everything go."

Roommates during training camp, they're also together on the No. 1 kickoff coverage unit entering Thursday night's preseason finale against Tennessee.

"I'm just pleased I'm able to do what I normally do," Hodge said. "They've got a tough decision. I don't know what they're thinking. I really don't. And I'm not even going down that road. I'm just going to give my all on Thursday and let it play itself out. I'm optimistic about everything."

The Packers could theoretically trade one of them for defensive line help, too, though that seems unlikely.

"I hope there's room for both of us," Bishop said. "I don't know the numbers. From Day 1, the coaches say, 'Don't even think about numbers.' So I refuse to think about who they're going to keep and who they're not. I just go out and focus on myself."

The eyeball test

While the medical staff will check out defensive tackle Ryan Pickett's hamstring next week before clearing him to return to practice after he missed all of training camp, they might want to examine his eyesight as well.

Because given his answer Tuesday to a question about his camp absence showing everyone just how important he is to the Packers' defense, his vision might be a little off.

"I really, honestly think the boys are in there doing a great job. They may have given up a couple runs, but for the most part they've done well," Pickett said. "I'm watching, and I'm like, 'It doesn't look like they really need me out there.'"

Against Denver on Friday night, the Packers defense gave up 131 yards on 28 carries (4.7-yard average) to the Broncos, and most of the yardage came up the middle.

Pickett said he will play against Minnesota in the Sept. 8 regular-season opener, and while he claimed to be in good shape, he admitted he isn't in "football" shape. While many of his veteran teammates will be off for the weekend, Pickett will be in the training room.

"I'm not going anywhere," said Pickett, who expects to practice all week before the Vikings game. "I don't think I'm going to be that rusty. I'm not rushing the passer or anything like that. I'm confident I'll be fine."

Wells getting well

Center Scott Wells, who will have only played one preseason quarter because of a lower back injury, expects to practice next week and play against the Vikings, too.

"I personally have no doubt. But again, the decision's not up to me," said Wells, who saw a specialist last week. "I feel like a lot of progress is being made. I should be fine. I don't see it being an ongoing issue. I've been out long enough."

Extra points

Coach Mike McCarthy said the starters will play "approximately 10 plays" against the Titans, and halfback Ryan Grant, who's yet to see preseason action, "will go as long as the first group does" but no longer. ... Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's surgically repaired knee flared up after he practiced Monday, forcing him to sit out Tuesday. Mike Montgomery (groin) was sidelined as well, while Chillar returned to practice. ... Tuesday's practice was the final open workout of camp. ... While acknowledging that playing four games in 18 days made camp "disjointed" and meant fewer total snaps, McCarthy said the "tempo and the energy that we had out here was far better than the first two years."