-- When it comes to the right guard situation for the Green Bay Packers, there isn't any question as to who the starter is, just like there wasn't entering the season.

Except, it isn't Justin McCray.

On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Byron Bell would start on the interior for the Packers in Monday night's meeting with the San Francisco 49ers.

McCray, who has been limited on the injury report with a shoulder injury, has been out of the lineup for three weeks now. Monday night will mark the third consecutive start for Bell.

"He's consistent," McCarthy said on Friday. "He has a lot of experience. Byron has played a lot of football. His transition here, getting used to how we do things and the connection you've got to have between the center and the right tackle."

Bell struggled throughout the preseason, swapping between tackle and guard. It would seem as if his consistency and seemingly evident sense of durability could keep him in the starting lineup for the weeks to come.

"I go back to training camp where the linemen didn't really practice a lot together. So, it's some newness to him. He's comfortable, and I like the job that he's done."

It could no longer be a matter of waiting until McCray is healthy to slip him back into the starting five along the offensive line, but instead, waiting until Bell has a serviceable backup behind him. McCray was active last Sunday against the Detroit Lions, however, only has an emergency fill-in.

With quarterback Aaron Rodgers still hindered by a knee injury, the Packers need all of the uniformity they can get in pass protection. That's something that Bell, an eight-year veteran, brings in his performance.

According to Bill Huber of Packer Report, Bell hasn't been penalized or allowed a sack in his 164 snaps. In 193 snaps, McCray allowed one sack and was penalized twice.

The Packers signed Bell to a one-year, $1.6 million dollar contract in late May coming off of a lone season with the Dallas Cowboys in which he started a career-low two games.