As Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy was wrapping up minicamp five weeks ago, he was asked if any players who were then being held out from minicamp might not be ready at the start of training camp.
“Maybe one that I can think of,” McCarthy replied. “I’ll be disappointed if everybody’s not ready to go, but we’ll see in five weeks.”
So it came as a jolt — and definitely a disappointment — when the Packers listed six players on its physically unable to perform list on Monday. Those six are all expected to play key roles this year: receivers Jordy Nelson and Ty Montgomery, tight end Jared Cook, linebacker Sam Barrington, and offensive linemen T.J. Lang, and Corey Linsley.
Maybe the coaches are being extremely cautious, but a half a dozen players after (in most cases) a half year of rest and recuperation?
At best, some of these rehabs might be taking longer than anticipated. More concerning are the prospects that some surgeries have not been as successful as hoped, or some ailments have proven to be more serious than thought.
From what we know thus far, Nelson’s injury isn’t serious. He tweaked his knee, but not the one he tore his ACL in last year.
Still, there has been no timetable set for Nelson’s return.
The PUP list is bound to cause fans much consternation and speculation until all six players are cleared to practice and play.
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