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Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is dealing with an injured hamstring and that leaves Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing feeling more optimistic about his defenses chances of stopping the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.Theres no question it will definitely help out if he can sit in the pocket and doesnt really feel like running, Cushing said, because theres nothing more defeating than on third down covering everybody, having everyone doing your job and everythings set and then the quarterback runs right by everyone for the first down, because hes the guy you dont account for as far as numbers and matchups.If it limits him, obviously, thatll be a big plus for us. Theres no question about that.Theres also no question both teams need a victory. After back-to-back losses at Oakland and home against San Diego, the Texans are 6-5. A heavy favorite to win the AFC South entering the season, they are clinging to a half-game lead over Tennessee (6-6) and a one-game lead over Indianapolis (5-6).The Packers were favored to win the NFC North but are clinging to faint playoff hopes. Green Bay (5-6) snapped a four-game losing streak at Philadelphia on Monday but is two games behind Detroit and a half game behind Minnesota in the division standings.Were the Green Bay Packers, so we take that with a lot of pride, said Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, who has guided the team to seven consecutive playoff berths. We know our fans were upset with whats going on, but theres no one more upset than those men in the locker room. Thats the reality of it.We all want to win. Were doing everything we can to win, I can promise you that. This group is committed, but, hell, were 5-6.Both teams are dealing with injuries.Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is nursing an injured shoulder sustained on a devastating blind-side block by lineman Allen Barbre during the opening series. Matthews, who has missed four games this season with an injured hamstring, got through the game with a pain-killing injection.Im in some pain, no doubt about it, Matthews said. Some swelling, bruising. But we got an X-ray and nothing is broken, (so) thats good. Well see moving forward as far as progress Im make going into this game. Its ultimately the goal, but we have some work to do.Both teams have work to do if theyre going to get into the postseason and make a run.The Packers have work to do on defense, though their streak of four consecutive games with 30-plus points allowed -- the teams worst stretch in six decades -- ended with an impressive performance at Philadelphia.With starting inside linebackers Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan inactive, Matthews moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker for that game. He spent the past season-and-a-half inside and made an immediate impact.Were just paper thin at the position, Matthews said. Its just natural after a year-and-a-half of having inside linebacker experience to just go back there. It was very natural to switch.The Texans have a lot of work to do on offense. They rank 29th in the league in scoring at 17.6 points per game.Houston signed quarterback Brock Osweiler away from the Broncos with a four-year, $72 million free-agent contract but has gotten little bang for its buck. Osweiler ranks 31st in passer rating and 32nd in yards per attempt and is tied for last with 13 interceptions.Obviously, the quarterback and the head coach take the most blame, Texans head coach Bill OBrien said. We understand that. Thats part of the deal. But it takes a lot more than that to execute a play properly.I didnt think we had our best game at any position on offense against San Diego. So its not one guys fault. I think hes getting more and more comfortable in our offense.He played well against Oakland. We just have to make sure that we play better around him. Look, hes got to do his part -- theres a lot of things he can improve upon -- but I think we all need to improve.Radek Faksa Stars Jersey . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. 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The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Rafael Nadal says his ailing left wrist bothers him on his forehand but not on his backhand or serve.The 14-time major champion elaborated on the injury Sunday after his Olympics ended with a loss to Kei Nishikori in the bronze medal match. He says that without a doubt its been a positive week in all aspects -- Ive played for many hours and the wrist at least didnt get worse.In his first tournament since withdrawing from the French Oppen 2+ months earlier, Nadal won doubles gold with Spanish teammate Marc Lopez and reached the semifinals in singles.dddddddddddd He says that this week will help me to move forward.He rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the second set Sunday, but Nishikori outlasted him for a 6-2, 6-7 (1), 6-3 victory.Nadal says: I was too tired. ' ' '