RT Don Barclay had an impressive debut and the rookie is expected to start against the Lions on Sunday. (Us Presswire)

It’s looking more and more likely that undrafted rookie Don Barclay will make his first career start at right tackle for the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

T.J. Lang, who became the starter when RT Bryan Bulaga went on injured reserve a month ago, didn’t practice again Thursday because of the ankle injury he sustained last week against the Vikings. Lang sat out for the second day in a row, and coach Mike McCarthy didn’t have any new updates on his recovery.

On Wednesday, McCarthy said Lang’s ankle was “not progressing, I know, the way he’d like.”

Unless Lang takes a big step forward in the next day or two, Barclay will replace him at tackle. Barclay stepped in for Lang in the second quarter against Minnesota and, after a shaky first couple of series, settled in to provide adequate protection and above-average run blocking on the right side.

It’s been a whirlwind week for the first-year player out of West Virginia, who admitted his head was spinning at first against the Vikings since he hadn’t played the first 12 games. But with a full week of practice with the first-team offense under his belt, he’ll be better prepared for the Sunday night matchup with the Lions.

And he’ll have to be because Detroit brings to town one of the most talented defensive lines in the league. Barclay could find himself facing off against fearsome DTs Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley on stunts and switches that target his inexperience. But mostly he’ll be matched-up with LE Cliff Avril, an underrated pass rusher. When the Packers beat the Lions three weeks ago, Lang struggled with Avril’s speed.

A three-year starter for the Mountaineers who said he wasn’t given a position in college and had to fight to win one, Barclay ran a 5.05-second 40-yard dash and could be equipped to handle Avril (8.5 sacks).

“They’re good players, they like to get after it,” Barclay said of the Lions’ defensive linemen. “They’re high-intensity guys who are going to get to the quarterback so we have to do a great job keeping Aaron (Rodgers) upright.”

Barclay said he watched the film from his performance against the Vikings multiple times and is “taking those three or four things I found out and working on them in practice.” He was glad to get that opportunity and believes he’ll be prepared to play Sunday.

“I think it helped me out a lot, to get my feet wet (against Minnesota),” Barclay said. “It definitely helps you out toward the next week and the next time you get in. I’ve still got to keep working and prove myself.

“I haven’t met any goals at this point. Every day I’m just fighting for what I can achieve.”

Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSPackers.