National Football League

Packers LB Matthews out vs. Bears because of thumb injury

Published Dec. 25, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews will miss Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears for the NFC North title after aggravating a right thumb injury.

Green Bay didn't practice Wednesday but issued an injury report as if it did. Matthews was listed as out.

Matthews got hurt during a sack in Sunday's 38-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Matthews missed four games earlier this season after initially breaking the thumb in Week 5 in October.

Matthews looked to be in extreme pain on the sideline Sunday after the sack. Coach Mike McCarthy has described it as a ''repeat injury.''

The Packers had Christmas day off. They return to practice Thursday, when the team is also expected to announce if quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ready to return from a left collarbone injury.