Packers’ Harrell to miss OTAs after surgery

Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, the Packers’ No. 1 draft pick in 2007, will miss all of the organized team activities while he recovers from minor back surgery.

Harrell said Wednesday after the team’s third OTA and second practice that he hurt himself lifting weights and had outpatient surgery to correct a disk problem a little over a month ago.

He hopes to be ready for training camp.

“I was walking three miles a day the day after the surgery,” he said. “The only thing is you’ve just got to stay active and keep doing things that you can do and just make sure you keep everything intact and when it’s time to go, it’s time to go.”

Harrell also missed OTAs last season while recovering from a torn biceps muscle he hurt in the second game of his senior season at Tennessee. The injury made him a surprise pick when the Packers selected him at No. 16 overall.

He said he realizes he may get the label as being injury-prone.

“I can’t worry about that,” said Harrell, who also missed five games with an injured ankle last year after he started the season on the inactive list. “I’m just trying to stay positive, I’m just trying to do what I can to make sure when training camp comes I’m ready to roll.”