GREEN BAY — The fate of the Green Bay Packers’ season will likely be tied to their performance in Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field.

And it’s looking increasingly likely the Packers (4-4) will be starting two of their second-day picks from April’s NFL draft — linebacker Brad Jones and offensive lineman T.J. Lang — when the Cowboys (6-2) roll into town.

Outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, who suffered a concussion in last Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay, didn’t practice for the second straight day Thursday, Neither did backup Brady Poppinga, who had a quadriceps injury flare up earlier this week.

That left Jones, a seventh-round pick out of Colorado, to work with the starters at Kampman’s left outside linebacker spot during the portions of practice open to reporters Wednesday and Thursday.

“I’m excited if they let me just stand on the sideline and hand out water,” Jones said. “I get excited just being able to make an impact on special teams. Any little opportunity they give me to shine, my excitement goes through the roof.”

Lang filled in at right tackle Wednesday in place of the injured Mark Tauscher, who sprained his left knee in Sunday’s loss. And the fourth-rounder out of Eastern Michigan remained there Thursday even though Allen Barbre, who started the first seven games of the season at right tackle before giving way to Tauscher last week, returned to full participation from a concussion.

“For me, it’s just a matter of wherever they want me to play, just get out there and get it done,” Lang said. “I just want to help this team any way I can.”

Jones, who had seven sacks as a senior at Colorado, missed the start of training camp with a back injury and was inactive for the first two games. He’s played on special teams since then and is tied for third on the team with eight special teams tackles.

But it appears his role will be hugely expanded, considering Kampman is “further away than you might think,” according to coach Mike McCarthy, who added Kampman has yet to work out in the weight room. As for Poppinga, McCarthy said he has “unusual swelling in his leg,” and added he was scheduled to see team doctor Patrick McKenzie this morning.

McCarthy said that, while Tauscher is making progress, he’s a “long shot” to play Sunday but should be back the following week. Barbre rotated with Tauscher during the first half against the Buccaneers and played the rest of the way after the former University of Wisconsin athlete departed. But he also suffered a concussion late in the game, and struggled enough earlier this season to prompt the team to re-sign Tauscher.

Lang, meanwhile, began the season playing guard, but filled in at left tackle for parts of two games before starting twice in place of Chad Clifton while he was out with an ankle injury.

He came in for Clifton last week as part of a rotation but committed a false start and played only two snaps before being pulled.

Still, Lang has shown enough ability to justify starting over Barbre.

“I think there’s been times that I’ve shown I can do a pretty good job, that they can have confidence in me,” Lang said. “But I’m learning a lot still and just trying to be more consistent with what I’m doing. I know I can do the job. It’s just a matter of doing it play after play.”

Lang will be part of the effort to try to slow a Dallas pass rush led by outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, a three-time Pro Bowler who lines up on both sides of the defense.

“I’m trying to do anything I can to get on the field,” Lang said, “and I’m going to continue to do that wherever they want me to play.”

Extra points

Tight end Jermichael Finley (knee), who has yet to be cleared medically to return, said he had a workout scheduled for today. “We’ll go off of that and see what we can do for Sunday,” he said. … McCarthy was confident receiver Jordy Nelson (knee) would be active Sunday.

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