Packers' Matthews says it's 'encouraging' to practice Wednesday
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- As the Detroit Lions ran out the clock Sunday against a seemingly fatigued Green Bay Packers defense, Clay Matthews was only able to watch from the sideline after suffering a groin injury.
Somewhat surprisingly, as the Packers practiced Wednesday for the first time since their loss in Detroit, Matthews was in uniform and taking part in individual drills.
"I think it was encouraging to be out there in light of it being a few days out," Matthews said in the locker room. "Hopefully tomorrow we'll take another step, and that's that."
Matthews was officially listed as a limited participant, meaning that he had very little -- if any -- involvement in the team-drill portions of practice.
"I really don't have a beat on him yet," head coach Mike McCarthy said in terms of Matthews' availability moving forward. "Clay is always going to do everything he can. Just take it day by day."
Matthews has battled hamstring injuries throughout his career and broke his right thumb twice last season. A groin injury, however, is a new setback for the four-time Pro Bowl selection.
Matthews, who signed a five-year, $66 million ($20.5 million guaranteed) extension in April 2013, has one sack, one forced fumble, two passes defensed and 12 tackles so far this season. He's played 81 percent of Green Bay's defensive snaps through three games.
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