Neal likely out for remainder of season
Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:16 am
R U Serious?
Packers rookie Neal may miss rest of year
Shoulder injury may place him on IR
By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 22, 2010 9:55 p.m. |(1) Comments
Green Bay — Rookie defensive end MikeNeal of the Green Bay Packers has a serious shoulder injury and probably will miss the rest of the season.
The Packers haven't made known the type or extent of Neal's injury, but sources said it didn't look good for him to return this season.
It's possible that Neal could be placed on injured reserve Saturday if the club, as expected, needs a roster spot in order to activate cornerback Al Harris from the physically unable to perform list.
Linebacker Brady Poppinga, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, also is a candidate for season-ending injured reserve.
Neal, an impressive second-round draft choice from Purdue, aggravated an existing injury to his right shoulder Oct. 10 in Washington and hasn't practiced since.
On Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy declared Neal out of the Minnesota game. Neal attended practice Friday as an observer.
Neal had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after his 2007 season for the Boilermakers.
After playing well in training camp, Neal suffered rib cartilage damage in practice Sept. 8 and missed the first three games. He played 26 snaps against Detroit and then 52 more against Washington, drawing praise from Redskins' players and coaches for his power and quickness.
Mike Trgovac, who coaches the defensive line, said he was "very" worried that Neal's injury was long term.
"That's a shame," said Trgovac. "He's going to be a really good player."
With Neal, the Packers had a more explosive alternative than Ryan Pickett at left end in the base defense. In nickel, he gave the Packers an effective third rusher along with Cullen Jenkins and B.J. Raji for the two inside berths.
Without Neal, the three starters will have to play more snaps than the team would prefer. It also means a dramatic drop-off at end to C.J. Wilson, Jarius Wynn and Michael Montgomery.
There was good news regarding Jenkins. The club he has worn to protect his broken left hand since Sept. 12 was reduced in size this week.
"Instead of being a club he's got a couple fingers that are out so he might be able to get a little bit more of a grasp," Trgovac said. "Anything he can do to get a little bit more grip is a plus for him."
Jenkins, who has four sacks, probably has missed at least four others mainly because of his restricted ability to grab, according to Trgovac.