Packers notes: Mike McCarthy sees no loss of confidence in Brett Hundley

GREEN BAY - It’s a head coach’s job to make sure there aren’t any negative vibes coming from the locker room during a stretch like the one the Green Bay Packers are going through.

Coach Mike McCarthy said it’s natural for players to question whether the quarterback is holding up his end of the bargain, but he said he has not witnessed or sensed any loss of confidence in Brett Hundley.

“It happens in life,” he said. “You wish it didn’t. People may be whispering over here and you’re aware of what the whispers are. I don’t see any of that. I’m not aware of it.

“Everybody knows what each man puts into this, what these guys do professionally, what they put into particularly with their bodies, and Brett is definitely, he’s probably one of the top guys at doing that. Everybody respects him, so I don’t see any issue with that.”

Rough debut: Devante Mays’ first career carry was a fumble. The Packers' rookie running back was stashed on the sideline Sunday until getting a second carry near game’s end against the Baltimore Ravens.

That, too, was a fumble.

No, consecutive fumbles isn’t an ideal way for a running back to open his career. With running back Ty Montgomery’s availability this week uncertain because of a ribs injury, and starter Aaron Jones still weeks from returning from his torn MCL, the Packers might not have much choice but to give Mays another chance Sunday in Pittsburgh.

McCarthy indicated he’ll reset this week for his young running back, wiping the slate clean so Mays can have a fresh start.

“Devante Mays will hopefully take as many reps as he did last week,” McCarthy said. “He did some really good things in practice. I was actually excited to see him cut it loose. So he has it, and it’s a transition that every rookie goes through when they get sent into the regular-season games, especially November football too.

“So I look for him to take a step this week.”

Turnover binge: After turning the ball over five times against the Ravens, the Packers dropped from tied for sixth in turnover margin (plus-6) to tied for 13th (plus-2).

Only eight teams have more interceptions than the Packers’ 10, seven of which are charged to Hundley.

“Everybody that has the responsibility of handling the football,” McCarthy said. “(Recognizing) the importance, the standard that we’ve set here. So, he has to take care of the football. That’s clearly starting point No. 1.”

Holiday homework: The Packers will practice on Thanksgiving this year as preparations continue for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McCarthy said the team will practice early Thursday morning, around 8:30 a.m., in hopes of sending players home to their families by noon.

“We’ll have a lighter practice Wednesday afternoon because then we’ll practice first thing in pads Thursday morning,” McCarthy said. “And then we’ll be on to a little longer Friday than normal. We’ll have the short schedule on Saturday and fly to Pittsburgh.”