Although the Green Bay Packers made it out of their game with the Minnesota Vikings almost injury free, the team still got some bad news on Monday regarding injuries.
Both linebacker Brady Poppinga and defensive end Mike Neal will be joining seven teammates on injured reserve.
Poppinga, who hurt himself in the loss to Miami, was expected to be out three weeks with a torn meniscus, but additional damage was discovered during surgery.
Neal, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, hasn’t played since the Packers loss to Washington in week five. He suited up for only two games, total, and his loss is especially damaging to a Packers defensive line, where two starters are ailing.
Cullen Jenkins has a calf strain and Ryan Pickett has a sprained ankle. However, rookie C.J. Wilson had a strong performance against the Vikings and Jarius Wynn recorded a sack in extended minutes.
Poppinga finishes the season with 14 tackles and one sack. Neal finishs with three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
The Packers will likely use the roster spots to activate Atari Bigby and Al Harris from the physically unable to perform list.
I have never seen a season like this, injury wise. Unreal.
Neal is going to be a good player. Assuming Jolly comes back next year, we will have a deep defensive line.
We may have seen the last of Poppinga.
Knowing TT the only off season move he’ll make is releasing J Jolly
I doubt they’ll do that unless he eats himself out of shape. He’s can play a high snap count and is an underrated run defender. Pickett, Neal, Jenkins, Raji, Jolly, and CJ WIlson (if he keeps playing like he did against the Queens) would be a really nice DL rotation.
Cullen Jenkins wants a new deal. I could see him leaving
How many 2nd round BUSTS are we gonna tolerate?! Neal looked effective in limited minutes and game action but c’mon man, no availability is totally worse than some availability…do we have a J Harrell situation all over again?
McCluster would’ve looked nice in a Packer uniform- or another DB.