Quarless Out for Season with Knee Injury

Tight end Andrew Quarless will have surgery on his knee in the upcoming weeks, head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Monday.

Tight end Andrew Quarless will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, head coach Mike McCarthy announced during his Monday press conference.

McCarthy did not get into the specifics regarding Quarless' injury. The tight end was injured on special teams covering a fourth-quarter kickoff in Sunday's 38-35 Packers win over the Giants in New York.

Quarless' initial diagnosis was as a "significant knee sprain" in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's victory, though it's probably safe to say his injury is more severe than just a sprain.

"He will have surgery here in the upcoming weeks," McCarthy said of Quarless.

More than likely, Quarless will be placed on injured reserve and the Packers will make a player transaction.

Because they have five tight ends on their roster, the Packers probably will not sign another player at that position.

Inside linebacker and offensive line areas on the team that are getting thin with injuries to A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop, Josh Sitton and Chad Clifton that prevented all four of them from playing this past Sunday. Whether the Packers add a player at one of those positions remains to be seen.

Though his playing time has decreased this season compared to a year ago when he became the starter late in season after an injury to Jermichael Finley, Quarless seemed to be developing nicely.

His blocking, in particular, made him a valuable part of the Packers offense.

Whether Quarless' injury impacts the perceived need to sign Finley to a future contract is a development worth watching as well. Finley is a free agent at season's end.

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Comments (20)

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Paul Steins's picture

December 05, 2011 at 04:35 pm

That sucks! Glad we have 4 more TE's on the roster tough!

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Evan's picture

December 05, 2011 at 04:39 pm

I thought he for sure shattered his tibia and fibula.

Not a huge loss in terms of the prospects of the team, but really sad to see a guy who was improving so much go down like that.

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packsmack25's picture

December 05, 2011 at 04:40 pm

I wonder if this will lead the Packers to make more of an effort toward signing Finley? Williams has been in the dog house, and now Quarless destroyed his leg. Crabtree is awesome, but he's not the receiving threat they need in the offense.

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CSS's picture

December 05, 2011 at 04:43 pm

Feels like the franchise tag is a foregone conclusion with Finley. Cheaper under the current CBA than the previous one.

Feel for Quarless, he was embracing the physicality of the game.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Taylor getting more offensive reps.

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Jake's picture

December 05, 2011 at 05:34 pm

I tend to think TT is really high on Finley. The quotes I've heard from him have always been complimentary and he's defended him when others say he's a loudmouth. I remember one such press conference when Ted was basically saying he thought Finley's behavior was out of confidence not arrogance and that nothing has really crossed the line.

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Jake's picture

December 05, 2011 at 05:33 pm

Why has Williams been in the doghouse?

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Mark's picture

December 05, 2011 at 05:41 pm

Jake: Williams against Minnesota I believe the second time lined up incorrectly lined up and forced Rodgers to call a timeout hasn't played since

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Bob's picture

December 05, 2011 at 07:34 pm

I guess that means Finley will not be playing anytime soon. He went in motion yesterday and left the tackle uncovered forcing Rodgers to call a time out.

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redlights's picture

December 05, 2011 at 05:34 pm

Agreed CSS.

I think that the drops yesterday, coming after games with one or more, as well; will lower the market for Finley. Several games on national TV and ... drop ..... drop.... Overall, he is still a game-changer, just don't see owners risking the wrath of fans for the dropsy (see J. Jones, cir. 2010). I'd like to see him stay for 4 years, for $5-6M/yr and easily attainable incentives to boost that. I don't think he can argue about the need for incentives, nor his prospects w/ARodg versus some schlup like Palko or Flacco.

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Bob's picture

December 05, 2011 at 07:38 pm

The money is the problem, he thinks he should be paid as the best tightend. He's not, more likely in the lower half of the top ten. He reminds me of another Thompson pick, Jeremy Stephens in Seatle. Big, fast, athletic, made incredible catches and a lot of drops.

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CharlieM's picture

December 05, 2011 at 09:15 pm

Finley was bad yesterday. But he's still only 24 and this is the first 12 game stretch of his career. They'll pay him Vernon Davis $ if thats what he wants in a heartbeat. It's the same amount per year they're paying Hawk. He's going to get much better IMO and he's got a route adjustment shining with Rodgers.

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Dave K's picture

December 05, 2011 at 05:05 pm

They will tag Finley if they can't get a contract done and Finley has said he was cool with that. The TE tag is modest compared to other positions and a definite value for a player like Finley. There was a story awhile back though that Finley may argue he should get the WR tag. Regardless, Finley will be a Packer next season unless he holds out.

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MarkinMadison's picture

December 05, 2011 at 10:58 pm

That's the thing. I think if he can make the WR $ argument then they have to let him go.

That injury to Quarless looked horrible. I hope that he's able to make the full recovery.

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nerdmann's picture

December 05, 2011 at 07:04 pm

What bothers me is the way this injury happened. The rules exist for precisely this reason, yet there wasn't even a flag thrown.

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Hands's picture

December 06, 2011 at 04:29 am

Exactly what I saw as well. No flag on that play?

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Dan Collins's picture

December 05, 2011 at 10:19 pm

Yeah, that bothers me, too.

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Chris's picture

December 06, 2011 at 07:26 am

Quarless took a backseat this season as a pass catcher because Finley was back, but was much improved as a blocker. Good guy, did not complain publicly about this change and worked on his locking and special teams play. Love to have these kind of people on the Packers.
I hope he makes a full recovery until next season, but the injury looked nasty on the TV.

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PackersRS's picture

December 06, 2011 at 10:44 am

One can make a case that he was the best all-around TE (receiving, blocking, ST play) on the team.

And so much for a problem guy, he was proving this year to be the exact opposite.

It's a shame that he went down, but this season was enough proof to me that Quarless is going to be another great weapon on this team.

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JAY quitler's picture

December 06, 2011 at 04:38 pm

heal fast andrew stay strong time to step up tommy crabtree

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fish/crane's picture

December 06, 2011 at 07:17 pm

Seems to me about a year ago many of CHTV bloggers labeled Mr. Quarless as the worst player ever- never to be worth a damn.

Another example of the work of Packer coaches. They develop professional football players. Amazing.

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