Packers DE Neal sidelined with knee injury

Packers DE Neal sidelined with knee injury

Published Oct. 21, 2012 2:25 p.m. ET

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Packers backup defensive end Mike Neal was sidelined in the second quarter with a knee injury and his return was questionable.

Neal, a second-round pick in 2010, was suspended the first four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He had three tackles in his first two games.

Green Bay was already missing star defensive tackle B.J. Raji, who is out with an ankle injury.

Rookie Trumaine Johnson of the St. Louis Rams was flipped on his head just as he was about to haul in an onside kick in the first quarter, but he returned in time to help on kick coverage to start the second half.

The team had said Johnson had a hip injury and his return was questionable. Johnson pedaled a stationary bicycle much of the second quarter.

Jamari Lattimore recovered the onside kick at the St. Louis 49 for the Packers, who had just scored on a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson. That set up a 47-yard field goal by Mason Crosby for a 10-3 lead late in the first quarter.

Rams backup defensive end Eugene Sims injured his right knee in the second quarter and his return was doubtful. It was unclear how Sims, who entered with one sack and 13 tackles, was hurt.

He walked off the field and left for medical tests.

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