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Surgery could end Barnett's season
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel

Oct. 6, 2010 6:50 p.m. |(7) Comments

Green Bay - Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett could be headed for his second season-ending surgery in three years.

According to multiple sources, the initial diagnosis on his right wrist is that Barnett will need surgery to repair it.

It's just a matter of when that surgery will be needed. It is likely it will be needed before the end of the season, sources said.

There is a possibility the surgery could be put off until after the season. Barnett will get a second opinion on Friday and then a determination will be made on the timeframe for surgery.

Barnett did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Barnett hurt the wrist in the first half of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. He returned and finished the game wearing a cast on his right wrist.

Following the game, Barnett said no fracture was revealed on the x-ray.

"If it’s not a break, I can tape it up and play," he said.

Barnett was not on the practice field Wednesday.

Coach Mike McCarthy said after practice that it's "definitely a possibility" Barnett could be out for an extended period of time.

Wrist injuries can be very tricky for an athlete and could pose a long-term health threat if not taken care of properly.

Guard T.J. Lang needed surgery in the off-season for an injury that appeared to be minor initially. He had to be in a cast for several months.

If Barnett needs immediate surgery, the Packers will have lost three starters to injury, two on defense. Safety Morgan Burnett will have season-ending surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament. Running back Ryan Grant (ACL) is on injured reserve, along with reserve defensive end Justin Harrell.

Barnett, 29, would be a big loss for the defense. The eight-year veteran is one of the vocal and emotional leaders of the unit, and makes the calls in the huddle and adjustments before the play.

He started his first game as a rookie after being a first-round pick in 2003, and played in 113 of a possible 121 games in his career (including playoffs).

When Barnett tore the ACL in his right knee against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 11, 2008, the Packers lost that game and five of their final seven games.

Barnett, who is third on the team with 27 tackles, recently became the third Packers player to notch at least 1,000 tackles in his career since the statistic started being kept in 1975. Barnett needs eight tackles to break John Anderson's franchise record of 1,020.

Desmond Bishop is expected join A.J. Hawk in the starting lineup at inside linebacker if Barnett does need season-ending surgery.

Brandon Chillar is also seeking a second opinion on his right shoulder, but McCarthy indicated he won't likely need surgery.

The Packers could sign former Arena Football League player Maurice Simpkins from the practice squad before playing the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

MickeyDavis wrote:Good thing we didn't trade Hawk for Lynch.

Adam_Schefter Adam Schefter
Packers LB Nick Barnett is out for season after suffering a wrist injury similar to one that ended Brian Urlacher's season last year.

Wilford Brimley wrote:This is 2008 all over again.