Packers' Nelson 'hitting every target' on recovery from hip surgery
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Jordy Nelson has seven more weeks to recover from offseason hip surgery. It's been the goal of the Green Bay Packers all along to have their star wide receiver fully cleared for training camp in late July, and that timeline is currently on schedule.
With organized team activities winding down, Nelson was able to catch passes and go through individual drills. That process began Tuesday in practice, and it continued Wednesday when media members were allowed to be in attendance.
"We're right where we want to be," Nelson said. "We set a plan at the beginning and we're hitting every target. We'll be ready to go by training camp."
Nelson has spent his entire offseason in Green Bay rehabilitating and working with the team's training staff.
"They've done a great job of getting me back," Nelson said. "I've been in every morning pretty much five days a week for the last how many months. Getting tired of it, so I'm ready to move on."
Before joining the team for individual drills this week, Nelson had been working inside the Don Hutson Center and is now "slowly integrating" that on to the practice field.
Nelson said he prefers to get away from football for a couple months each offseason, but his hip injury -- the specifics of which he has declined to share -- has thus far kept him from being able to completely step away.
"We haven't set exact targets, but what I wanted to get done, we're getting done," Nelson said. "We have another couple days here (of OTAs) and another week (minicamp from June 16-18), and then we'll be doing good."
Nelson didn't publicly mention a hip injury at any point during the 2014 season, and it was never listed on the Packers' injury report. His performance certainly didn't seem to suffer, finishing the year with a career-high 98 receptions and 1,519 yards.
Head coach Mike McCarthy hasn't had any concerns about Nelson's availability beyond these offseason practices.
"I think Jordy's going to be fine once we get to training camp," McCarthy said. "Just the amount of work he's put into his rehab. He's been on time the whole time, which is all part of the plan how he's being handled these first couple weeks and how he'll handle next week."
Even when Nelson couldn't participate in any drill work, he's been a consistent presence on the practice field. It's been time well spent, too, as Nelson looks over the play sheets and helps his fellow wide receivers.
"It allows you to communicate more with the young guys," he said. "When you're practicing you're obviously taking some of the reps. You're catching your breath in between when they're doing their reps, so you don't get to watch as much. I think it allows you to communicate more with them, try and give them little bits and pieces here on how to do things and help them grow."
Nelson's assistance has already aided the progress of second-year receiver Jeff Janis.
"Jordy will kind of tell us what Aaron (Rodgers) is thinking so we know what to expect," Janis said.
There are other benefits of not practicing during OTAs for a 30-year-old player who's entering his eighth NFL season.
"I told the coaches the other day that I'm living the best life," Nelson joked. "I get to work out early, don't have to sit through all their meetings and then go down and coach and don't have to practice. It's a good life right now."
Soon, though, that "good life" will come to an end.
"I'll be ready and sharp mentally, and by the time training camp comes we'll be ready to go," Nelson said.
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