The odds that Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery takes the field as an active participant next Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys are slim. Slim to none. 

Even so, the former receiver-turned-tailback had a sense of optimism that he and the training staff will do everything they can to have him ready by Sunday. Albeit a different area of his ribs, Montgomery said he suffered a similar injury in last year's NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons. He didn't have a game to worry about playing in the following week, and he certainly didn't have 10 days worth of rest until that game.

This time around, having over a week to heal the "multiple broken ribs" suffered in Thursday night's win over the Chicago Bears plays into Montgomery's favor. Much like Jordy Nelson did in the aforementioned title game, Montgomery could wear a protective Kevlar vest to help soften some of the blows next week.

"I'm going to continue to get treatment," Montgomery told reporters on Tuesday. "We're going to talk about a type of plan, as far as types of protection I can wear. Obviously, there's rib cages and flak jackets."

Montgomery suffered the rib injury at the end of his first carry against Bears. It involved Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan's knee getting lodged into Montgomery's side, something he described as a "hammer and nail-type situation." He then proceeded to carry the ball four more times on that ensuing opening drive before removing himself from the game.

The only fear is that damage could be inflicted to internal organs, all the more reason why the Packers are more than likely to sit Montgomery for at least a week. Much like his backup, Jamaal Williams, who is expected to miss a game at the least due to a knee sprain also suffered in week four.

For what it's worth, Montgomery felt significantly better on Tuesday than he did over the weekend. Wide receiver Davante Adams does as well, but like Montgomery, he may be a long shot to play Sunday as well.

Adams suffered a concussion on a violent hit from Trevathan, landing him in the hospital overnight before being released the following morning. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a source close to Adams believes that he may very well play against the Cowboys. "I think he goes," the source said. A similar source told Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette that they "can't see him not playing," which coincides with the earlier report.

Currently in concussion protocol, Adams would have to be upgraded and show visible signs of progression before any decision can be made on him playing. Last season, Adams was in the concussion protocol for less than a week before being cleared in time for the week seven game against the Bears.

These are two injuries that have to be monitored and handled with great care, and given the Packers' historically conservative approach with injuries, there shouldn't be any doubt that they'll make the right decision. However, in an offense whose starting tackles in David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and Bryan Bulaga (ankle) are in limbo, the Packers could use all of the help they can get, but not at the expense of shortening a career.