Eye surgery for Davenport

GREEN BAY, Wis., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Running back Najeh Davenport of the Green Bay Packers, who broke a bone in his left eye socket on the opening kickoff last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings while bringing down Minnesota return man Nick Davis, has undergone season-ending surgery.

The injury occurred while Davenport was making a thunderous tackle on Davis at the end of the runback.

Coach and General Manager Mike Sherman said right guard Marco Rivera might be able to play this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rivera left the Minnesota game in the first quarter after spraining the MCL in his right knee.

Rivera was replaced by second-year guard Bill Ferrario, but Sherman indicated he might move Mike Flanagan to guard and have Frank Winters start at center if Rivera can't play in the Tampa Bay game.

"We'll go with our five best," Sherman said. "Whichever gives us the best chance to win the game, that's how we'll go."

Earlier this season, Rivera sprained the MCL in his left knee in the game at Detroit on Sept. 22, but was able to recover in time to start against the Carolina Panthers the following week.

Including playoffs, Rivera has started in 76 of Green Bay's last 77 games.

"Marco has proven to be a great healer, so we'll just take that day by day," Sherman said.

Na'il Diggs injured both of his knees on the Metrodome turf Sunday in Minneapolis, but the more severe injury was to his right knee. Monday, Diggs has had an MRI, and hopes to be able to play at Tampa Bay.

Sherman said Diggs strained his MCL and would be listed as questionable.

Meanwhile, rookie defensive end Aaron Kampman broke his right hand during pregame warm-ups at Minnesota, then suffered a concussion.

He is listed as questionable for the Buccaneers.

Kampman has been starting in place of five-year veteran Vonnie Holliday, who missed the last two games after undergoing athroscopic knee surgery on Nov. 6. Holliday could return this week, but will be listed as questionable.

Cornerback Tyrone Williams is also expected to recover in time to play this weekend. He has a strained left hamstring. Williams has played in 115 consecutive games.

Finally, the team waived fifth-year defensive end Jared Tomich, who was in his second stint with the team, and signed defensive end Keith McKenzie.

He re-signed with the Packers on Nov. 6 after first signing with Green Bay on Jan. 2, 2002. He was inactive for the 2001 regular season finale and subsequent postseason games. In training camp this year, he posted seven tackles including two quarterback sacks, while playing in five games.

The 6-2, 275-pounder was waived by the Chicago Bears on Oct. 16. He started three games for the Bears this season.