Packers Lose Brooks to Injury

The Green Bay Packers lost their top receiver, flanker Robert Brooks, to a cracked rib that will sideline him for at least Sunday’s game at Indianapolis and possibly several more weeks.

“I trust we will have him for Dallas,” on Nov. 23, Coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday, sounding more hopeful than confident.

Brooks, who has caught 48 passes for 734 yards and four touchdowns coming off a serious knee injury, was hurt on the final play of the first quarter in the Packers’ victory over St. Louis on Sunday.

Antonio Freeman will move from split end to Brooks’ spot against the Colts. Derrick Mayes will start at split end.

Meanwhile, the Packers are are issuing stock in the publicly held team for the first time since 1950 to raise money for stadium projects. The Packers received NFL approval to raise as much as $80 million.