Rookie DE Kyle Moore's debut appears to be getting closer - as could come as early as Sunday's game against the Packers.

Moore, who missed the first several weeks following knee surgery, is healthy, and has impressed coaches in practice the past two weeks.

“It’s been really hard for me to keep a helmet off of him, to be honest with you,” coach Raheem Morris said. “He’s pushing my buttons every week and he’ll push it again this week. Hopefully, this is the week.”

Defensive coordinator Jim Bates said the last two weeks have been Moore's best weeks of practice.

"He's really matured as far as practicing like a pro is supposed to practice, and once we see the consistency totally there, we'll try  to get him on the field," Bates said. "But he has really improved. It's a growing process for all young players, and especially the rookies. An he's made a big leap from the time he was injured and now."

Morris said part of the reason Moore hasn't played yet is that there's some strong competition on the line, with Michael Bennett, and Tim Crowder and Dre Moore coming on.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com