Green Bay Packers

Clay Matthews sidelined by an elbow 'issue'

Published Aug. 19, 2015 1:53 p.m. ET

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Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was dealing with an an elbow "issue" at Wednesday's practice, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reports.

Matthews was dealing with a knee injury earlier in camp but has since recovered. Still, his various ailments have cost him valuable practice time. According to Ryan Wood of Press-Gazette Media, Wednesday's practice was the sixth one in which Matthews was injured so far this summer.

Clay Matthews has missed 5 of 12 practices, and #Packers' preseason opener, because of knee injury. He'll miss 6th today because of elbow.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 19, 2015

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy did not disclose any information on Matthews' hurting elbow, according to ESPN, but he did refer to it as an "issue" rather than an "injury." Perhaps the situation is not that serious.

Matthews, 29, has always been a difference-maker as a pass-rusher, but he is far more valuable to the team now that he can also play inside linebacker. When he's healthy, the Packers have the flexibility to play him wherever they need him most on defense.

(h/t ESPN)