The speculation is that Green Bay Packers linebacker, Clay Matthews, will need surgery to repair a broken thumb that forced him from yesterday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
Fresh off a hamstring injury that left him limited in practice throughout the week, Matthews took the field, and looked ready to go against the Lions. Up until a sack of quarterback Matthew Stafford, in the final play of the third quarter, he looked to be in excellent condition. After the play, however, he was noticeably in pain and was spotted retreating to the locker room for further evaluation.
Surgery would be the worst-case scenario for Matthews, because it could possibly land him on Injured Reserve. The Packers still have their IR-designated for return tag, which they could use if they believed the star linebacker would be able to return this season. It would allow the team to sign an additional defender, but it would mean that he’d have to miss a minimum of six weeks before returning.
The replacements for Matthews did extremely well against Detroit’s front five. Nick Perry, a 2012 first-round pick, and Mike Neal, a second-round pick in 2010, finished with a combined eleven tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
In some cases, players can play through a broken thumb with a large soft cast on their hand to protect the break. However, as Adam Schefter reports, it is likely that Matthews will opt for surgery, and that he could miss a month of football.
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Fresh off a hamstring injury that left him limited in practice throughout the week, Matthews took the field, and looked ready to go against the Lions. Up until a sack of quarterback Matthew Stafford, in the final play of the third quarter, he looked to be in excellent condition. After the play, however, he was noticeably in pain and was spotted retreating to the locker room for further evaluation.
Surgery would be the worst-case scenario for Matthews, because it could possibly land him on Injured Reserve. The Packers still have their IR-designated for return tag, which they could use if they believed the star linebacker would be able to return this season. It would allow the team to sign an additional defender, but it would mean that he’d have to miss a minimum of six weeks before returning.
The replacements for Matthews did extremely well against Detroit’s front five. Nick Perry, a 2012 first-round pick, and Mike Neal, a second-round pick in 2010, finished with a combined eleven tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
In some cases, players can play through a broken thumb with a large soft cast on their hand to protect the break. However, as Adam Schefter reports, it is likely that Matthews will opt for surgery, and that he could miss a month of football.
Surgery on Packers LB Clay Matthews broken thumb is considered likely.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2013
Packers LB Clay Matthews still is undergoing more testing, but he is expected to miss one month with a broken thumb.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2013
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