The Green Bay Packers are thin at outside linebacker. That’s an understatement. And now Mike Neal is hurt.
The Packers will be without Clay Matthews, who’s out two to three more weeks with a broken thumb. They’ll be without Nick Perry, who broke his foot on Sunday.
That leaves them with undrafted rookie Andy Mulumba and former defensive lineman Mike Neal as starters this week. That is, if Neal can go.
Neal has a bruised shoulder and hasn’t practiced yet this week. Coach Mike McCarthy says Neal hasn’t been ruled out yet, though.
“He’s getting better. I’m hopeful he’ll practice tomorrow,” McCarthy said.
If Neal can’t go, the Packers would be forced to turn to rookie Nate Palmer.
Palmer was a sixth-round pick this season out of Illinois State. He’s been active for just two games, but hasn’t recorded a stat. Should this worry you?
Yeah.
Neal, meanwhile, has started to look like a playmaker. He has 11 tackles, a sack and an interception this season.
Thankfully, it’s the Cleveland Browns and Brandon Weeden coming to town this week.
A what? Bruised shoulder?
Yeah, not soft at all.
Thank you for the valuable insight, Guy.
Put on some real shoulder pads and may bee you wil not get hurt Neal!
I believe Neal will play. He is likely just resting it. Let’s see if he practices tomorrow.
Its amazing to think the Packers could be down to their 4th and 5th OLB if he doesn’t play. Obviously, Mulumba and Palmer are not going to be able to play every down. That means Lattimore could get some snaps there as well, which means Sam Barrington could get some snaps at MLB.
So Neal has a bruised shoulder…I can just see a new article in a few days….Mike Neal to have labrum surgery on the same shoulder he had surgery on in late 2010.
You have got to be fucking kidding me..
So is their a time table for Perry’s return??
Perry’s exact injury and status are under double secret probation. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is next season.
After a while u just have to laugh
Down 2 WRs(Jones, Cobb)
Down 2 Tackles(Sherod/Bulaga)
Down 4 LBs (Jones, François, Matthews, Perry)
Down 1 RB(Starks)
Down 1 CB(Heyward)
Of the last 4 #1 picks, Bulaga, Datone, Perry, Sherod), presently 1 is on the field.
And this is a team that does not sign free agents!
How in the hell are we ever competitive?!
Translation, our coaches a phenomenal freakin teachers. Cuz they are teaching up the rooks and the depth chart every freakin week.
Next Body Up!