Packers lose defensive duo

Harris: Set to have surgery

It will be a big challenge for our football team. Aaron and Al have meant a lot to us and our football team. Both have over 100-plus starts.

Mike McCarthy
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The Green Bay Packers have confirmed that cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman will not play again this season.

The defensive duo both suffered knee injuries during the second half of their team's 30-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Harris, 34, and Kampman, 29, will have surgery to repair the damage and will be placed on injured reserve, ruling them out for the rest of the campaign.

The Packers have a 6-4 record and are firmly in the play-off hunt. They are next in action on Thursday night, Thanksgiving Day, at the Detroit Lions.

"Both individuals will have season-ending knee surgery," Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed at a press conference on Monday.

"It will be a big challenge for our football team. Aaron and Al have meant a lot to us and our football team. Both have over 100-plus starts.

"Our younger players, they're going to have to step up and get ready on a short week for Detroit."

Redskins hurting

Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins have also lost two players after placing Ladell Betts and Chad Rinehart on injured reserve.

Running back Betts, who was starting in place of the crocked Clinton Portis, damaged knee ligaments during the 7-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

With Portis still sidelined, Rock Cartwright will be the Redskins' starting tail-back against the Philadelphia Eagles in week 12.

Rinehart has already had surgery on a broken right leg. He is the third offensive lineman that Washington have lost for the rest of the year.

Rookie full-back Eddie Williams has also been placed on injured reserve, while there are doubts over whether tight end Chris Cooley will play again this season as he recovers from a broken right ankle.