National Football League

McCarthy: WR Nelson 'hard pressed to play'

Updated Oct. 20, 2022 11:06 a.m. ET

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — Just when the Packers got wide receiver Greg Jennings back on the field for the first time in two months, the hamstring injury suffered by fellow receiver Jordy Nelson in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings will likely keep him out at least one game.

"I think he would be pressed hard to play this week," coach Mike McCarthy said Monday of Nelson. "I don't know how many weeks Jordy would be out. Once we get past the initial couple days and see what we can do on the practice field, those questions will be answered."

In pregame warmups Sunday, Nelson aggravated a previous hamstring injury that kept him out of a game on Oct. 28. He attempted to play through it against Minnesota, but Nelson had to leave the game in the first quarter and did not return.

"Jordy is a very durable player," McCarthy said. "I'm not concerned about it."

Offensive lineman T.J. Lang injured his left ankle midway through the second quarter of Sunday's game and was also unable to return.

"I feel probably a little bit better about T.J. than I do about Jordy," McCarthy said. "I would say T.J. Lang and Jordy Nelson's injuries are not of a serious nature."

Lang began the season as the Packers' starting left guard, but when right tackle Bryan Bulaga was placed on injured reserve Nov. 12, McCarthy switched Lang over to that spot. Lang's injury makes Green Bay's already questionable depth at offensive line all the more troublesome, especially for a group that has gotten Aaron Rodgers sacked more than any quarterback in the NFL this season.

"I don't really know what T.J.'s case is going to be," McCarthy said. "That's one of the individuals where we're still gathering information. I don't have a feel if T.J.'s going to be ready for this week."

With the possibility that Lang could be forced to miss some time, the Packers are exploring other roster options.

"When my day starts and ends with a lot of conversation with (general manager) Ted Thompson, obviously we have a lot going on on our active roster," McCarthy said. "We're juggling a number of things right now."

Pro Bowl outside linebacker Clay Matthews has been sidelined for the past three games due to a hamstring injury. McCarthy originally projected Matthews to only miss "a couple weeks," but it's now been a full month with him out.

"I know Clay worked out today," McCarthy said. "I have not got the results of that yet."

Veteran defensive back Charles Woodson broke his collarbone Oct. 21, an injury that the team believed would take six weeks to recover from. Now, six weeks later, Woodson is nearing a return.

"Charles is probably, I would think maybe next week would be my guess there," McCarthy said. "If you ask Charles, he's probably pushing to play this week. There's some more testing that you have to do to make sure he's cleared. He's not been cleared yet."


Follow Paul Imig on Twitter.

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