When Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said linebacker Nick Barnett could miss an extended period with a wrist injury, we didn’t anticipate “extended period” meant “the rest of the year.”
However, that appears to be a real possibility.
Multiple sources have confirmed Barnett’s initial diagnosis — that he will need surgery to repair his wrist injury. The question is when?
There’s a possibility the procedure could be put off until after the season, but if it’s determined the linebacker needs surgery immediately, it would end his season. Barnett is scheduled to get a second opinion this week and a timetable will be established after that.
However — and I am really starting to hate this twerp — Adam Schefter says Barnett is already gone.
Packers LB Nick Barnett is out for season after suffering a wrist injury similar to one that ended Brian Urlacher’s season last year.
Barnett continued to play after injuring the wrist in the first half of the Detroit game. After, he said x-rays hadn’t revealed a fracture and suggested he could tape the wrist and play if it wasn’t broken.
Urlacher, of course, injured his wrist in the Bears first game last season. He had surgery the next day and didn’t play another down in 2009. Brad Biggs says the injury is one that affects the nerves in the hand.
Urlacher suffered a dislocated wrist at Green Bay in the season opener and the Chicago Bears middle linebacker underwent surgery the next morning that ended his season. The injury was sensitive to nerves in his hand and therefore he simply couldn’t put a cast on the wrist and play. Doctors said the injury is most commonly suffered in car accidents.
Barnett has 24 tackles on the season, but his real value is in calling the defensive plays and making adjustments on the field for the unit.
Desmond Bishop will step into Barnett’s starting spot this week, with Brandon Chillar battling a shoulder injury.
If Barnett is lost, he would join starting safety Morgan Burnett and running back Ryan Grant, as well as backup defensive end Justin Harrell, on injured reserve.
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