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Matthews listed as out for Bears game

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Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is listed as “out” for Sunday’s game in

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews

Chicago against the Bears.

Matthews suffered an injury to the same right thumb that he originally fractured back on Oct. 6.

With Matthews out, Mike Neal and Andy Mulumba will take over at outside linebacker in Matthews place.

The Packers didn’t practice on Wednesday but were required to put out an injury report.  Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was listed as a limited participant, while Brad Jones, Nick Perry, Mike Neal and Ryan Pickett were all listed as did not participate.

Rodgers had a scan done on his left shoulder earlier this week.  The Packers are expected to announce his status for Sunday’s game today.

 

Perry responds to benching with a big game

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The Green Bay Packers replaced Nick Perry in the starting lineup at

Nick Perry

Nick Perry

outside linebacker on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Not only did Neal have his best day as a pro (6 tackles, 1 sack), but Perry came off the bench when Clay Matthews went down to add 5 tackles and 2 of the teams 5 quarterback sacks.

Neal and Perry combined for only nine hurries and no sacks in the first three games of the season.

Perry’s rookie season ended after six games last year after wrist surgery.

AUDIO: Nick Perry on his 2 sack game :11

Is this a flash in the pan or will the Packers see more of this type play from Perry?  Only time will tell, but the Packers drafted Perry to be an impact player and they’re hoping to see a lot more of what they saw on Sunday in the 22-9 win over the Detroit Lions.

Packers crossing their fingers with Matthews

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Two weeks ago it was his hamstring, now the Green Bay Packers are hoping Clay

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews

Matthews thumb injury won’t force him out of the lineup or possibly even end his season.

Matthews suffered a broken thumb on his third-quarter sack of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.  They’re still awaiting word on whether or not the injury will require surgery or not.

If surgery is the answer, Matthews could be out for the entire season.  Of course there’s always the possibility he could miss time without losing his entire season.  The Packers are still able to put one player on injured reserve/designated for return at a later time.  In that scenario, Matthews would have to miss a minimum of 6-weeks.

If Matthews does have to miss any time, the Packers would likely rely on Mike Neal and Nick Perry to play the outside linebacker positions.  Both had outstanding games in the 22-9 win over the Lions on Sunday  Perry had 2 quarterback sacks and five tackles while Neal had a sack and six tackles.

More injuries

The Packers also lost linebacker Brad Jones Sunday with a hamstring injury and his replacement, Robert Francois, suffered a torn achilles which will end his season.

Packers open Training Camp

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Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy

The Green Bay Packers are on the practice field Friday morning as 2013 Training Camp begins.

Last season, injuries were a big story of camp.  At times, the Packers were so depleted at some positions, they needed to cut practices short.  This year, health was on the mind of Head Coach Mike McCarthy when he put together the schedule…

AUDIO: Mike McCarthy made some tweaks to camp to help team stay healthier :18

[Read more…]

Before Peterson, the Packers must stop Johnson (AUDIO)

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After three-straight games against NFC North opponents, the Green Bay Packers (10-4) step out of the division and the conference to host the Tennessee Titans (5-9) Sunday at Lambeau Field.  A lot of the talk this week has been about the Packers facing a dynamic running back before the season is over, Adrian Peterson.  Peterson is 294-yards short of Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record as the Packers and Vikings will meet in week 17.  However, Green Bay will have their hands full this week with Tennessee’s talented back Chris Johnson.

The last few seasons have been up-and-down for Johnson.  Last year, he had a very public and criticized hold-out that many people blame for his struggles.  He tallied just 1047-yards, an okay number but nothing close to what was expected.  Johnson is the most recent running back to go over 2000-yards for a season, doing so in 2009.

[Read more…]

Lang could return to guard / Packers injury update

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Green Bay Packers Offensive lineman T.J. Lang returned to the practice field on Wednesday and

TJ Lang

could return to action this Sunday against the Bears. 

Lang took reps at left guard during practice, which could mean a return to his old position on Sunday.  It also likely means a second straight start for Don Barclay at right tackle.

Clay Matthews also returned to practice on Wednesday and appears to be on target to return to the lineup after missing the last four games.  The news isn’t as good for Charles Woodson.  The Packers medical staff doesn’t feel Woodson is ready to return and will sit another week.

Defensive end Mike Neal made a surprise return to practice on Wednesday, despite bruising and swelling to his shoulder.  If he can play, alongside the recently signed Jordan Miller, the Packers would have 6 healthy defensive lineman that would give Dom Capers the ability to play more base defense as opposed to staying in nickel or dime packages.

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson did not practice on Wednesday and Mike McCarthy said he would be a long shot for Sunday’s game.

 

Neal active, Starks to sit at Indy

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The Green Bay Packers released their game day inactive list this morning.  Not

James Starks

in uniform today will be:  Jarrett Boykin, Sean Richardson, James Starks, Davon House, Terrell Manning, Mike Daniels and Greg Jennings.

DE Mike Neal, who was activated on Saturday, will get a chance to play today after serving a 4-game suspension to start the season.

RB James Starks has practiced for the last couple of weeks and felt he is ready to go today.  Mike McCarthy said earlier in the week that they wanted to allow Starks to make a good run at being active today, but when it is all said and done, the Packers decided to keep Starks down today.

Greg Jennings is sidelined by a groin injury that he re-aggravated in last week’s game against the Saints.

 

Neal set to return today

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Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal is set to make his return to the lineup today after the Packers activated him from the

Mike Neal

exempt status list on Saturday afternoon.

The Packers made room for Neal by releasing DE Phillip Merling.

Neal was eligible to return this week after serving a 4-game suspension.

 

Neal plans to appeal suspension, again!

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Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal plans to appeal his four-game

Mike Neal

suspension he received from the NFL on March 13 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. 

Neal confirmed on Tuesday that he tested positive for the prescription drug Adderall, a brand name drug used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. 

Neal claims he was prescribed the drug by his doctor but didn’t notify the team and didn’t know it was on the NFL’s banned substance list.

Neal said he’s already appealed once to the NFL and plans to do so again.

As far as this season is concerned, Neal is healthy, excited and ready for football.  He never got to 100% last season.

AUDIO: Neal is asked if he has to prove he can play in the NFL :16

Neal said he’s thankful for the support of his teammates and feels great.

 

NFL suspends Packers’ Neal for four games

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For two seasons, Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal has had a

Mike Neal

hard time staying on the field and when he was healthy enough to play, the results were minimal at best.

Neal was recently handed a 4-game suspension by the NFL  for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The 2010 second round draft pick out of Purdue can participate in the off-season program and training camp.  If Neal makes the regular season 53-man roster, he’ll have to serve a 4-game suspension without pay.

In his two seasons in Green Bay, Neal has played in 10 out 37 games.  Last season, he played in the final eight games and made no impact. [Read more…]