Driver focused on making Packers 53-man regular season roster

By Matt Montgomery

CREATED Aug. 28, 2012 - UPDATED: Aug. 28, 2012

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GREEN BAY- Before the Packers regular season begins on September 9, the team must cut their current roster from 75 players to 53 by Friday evening.

One of the players considered to be a lock for the 53-man roster, according to the Journal Sentinel, is veteran wide receiver Donald Driver.

There was concern that Driver -- who has spent his entire 13-year career on the Packers -- wouldn't play on this year's team.  Driver accepted a restructured deal before training camp; and wasn't a sure thing to make the team out of training camp due to the Packers' depth at wide receiver.

"There's been a lot of people doubting I'd be able to hold up in training camp," said Driver to Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Afternoon News with John Mercure."  "I think I've done the best I can do and proven I can play with the best of them."

The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn reports that Driver has earned the 3rd most preseason snaps among wide receivers this year.  Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson saw the most snaps followed by Driver, James Jones and Randall Cobb.

Driver, 37, hasn't missed a day of training camp because of injury.

Driver said this training camp, and ones in more recent years, he's made sure that he and fellow veteran players serve as mentors for younger players.

"Now, guys are helping each other to get better and better to win games," explained Driver.

It isn't clear how much time Driver will get in Thursday's preseason game against the Chiefs.

"Even when I'm not playing, I love to see young guys shine," said Driver.  " We already talked to the young guys, explaining this is a great opportunity for them."

Driver already leads the Packers franchise in receptions and receiving yards, and if he makes the team this year, he only needs seven touchdowns to pass Sterling Sharpe for the 2nd most receiving touchdowns in franchise history.