The Jury's Still Out on Clay Matthews' Thumb Injury
Mike McCarthy had no update on Clay Matthews' thumb injury a day after it was broken in a win over the Detroit Lions.
Beat reporters share comments from Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy during his weekly day-after-game press conference:
Mike McCarthy press conference. "Clay Matthews' injury situation … all of the information isn't in yet. Don't have all the info." #Packers
— Paul Imig (@Paulimig) October 7, 2013
MM: In Clay's case, first step is to find out exactly what needs to be done with injury. Have had guys play with clubs, others surgery.— Mike Vandermause (@MikeVandermause) October 7, 2013
Obviously as the best player on the defensive side of the football for the Packers, the loss of Matthews would be a big blow.
Fortunately the Packers got good play from two other outside linebackers on their roster in Mike Neal and Nick Perry this past Sunday in a win over the Lions. How well they can play over the long run, however, is up for debate.
The Packers also have depth in the form of rookies Andy Mulumba and Nate Palmer.
Regardless of who else might play outside linebacker, however, the Packers will still miss Matthews' all-out mentality and ability. No player on the roster has shown to provide a consistent pass rush as much as Matthews.
One option available to the Packers would be to place Matthews on short-term injured reserve list, in which they can replace him on the roster for six weeks.
Obviously they would have to be sure Matthews would definitely miss at least six weeks if they were going to go that route.
More information may come available by the time the Packers practice next on Wednesday, which also represents the next opportunity for McCarthy to meet with the media.
In the meantime, the Packers can make at least one roster move in the very near future. McCarthy said on Monday that general manager Ted Thompson would announce a roster move by the end of the day, likely signaling linebacker Rob Francois being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Comments (17)
October 07, 2013 at 03:43 pm
I think he'd have to miss at least 8 weeks if he were put on IR, with the option of practicing after 6 weeks, so I doubt they'd pull the trigger on losing him for 8 games.
October 07, 2013 at 03:46 pm
So who is available to sign for the Pack with Francois going on IR
October 07, 2013 at 03:50 pm
I believe they could sign Terrell Manning from Chargers practice squad
October 07, 2013 at 03:50 pm
When this staff is not definitive, assume the worst.
October 07, 2013 at 06:15 pm
Ya well old Ted is certainly PO'd today thinking how can I find a young talented Arena football linebacker who is local and very cheap. Cannot have a gun put to his head for someone who can actually fill in.
October 07, 2013 at 08:44 pm
Rodgers needs to step up big time.
October 07, 2013 at 09:12 pm
Time of Possession.
Keep our defense off the field.
October 07, 2013 at 03:58 pm
For the record, I'm a huge CM3 fan, and I think it's no coincidence that we lose games when he is not in there. The Bengals game fell apart on defense as soon as he left.
But some of the numbers so far this year are interesting. CM3 has 3 sacks, 2 hits, and 3 pressures; Nick Perry has 2 sacks, 0 hits, and 8 pressures; and Mike Neal has 1 sack, 0 hits and 10 pressures.
And PFF, for what it's worth, grades CM3 at +4.6 against the run but -3.9 for pass rush. I find that rather shocking and wonder what their rating criteria is. For comparison, Perry is +0.9 in run defense and -0.7 in pass rush, and Neal is -0.1 in run defense and -0.7 in pass rush. All three players have average (~0) overall ratings.
I'm certain that CM3's value can't be summed up in those ratings, but they still surprise me nonetheless.
Brian Carriveau
October 07, 2013 at 04:02 pm
I'll tell you what's a big factor in their rankings is the high number of snaps Matthews played in the first two games and the comparatively smaller amount of pressure he applied. Not to say Matthews isn't doing anything, but you have to remember that he was a playing a significantly higher number of snaps than Neal and Perry.
October 07, 2013 at 04:04 pm
Do you know if they take into account double teams or RB chips or anything like that?
October 07, 2013 at 04:09 pm
CMIII takes up 2 sometimes 3 people to account for him in blocking schemes. It makes the opposing teams offense's job a lot easier to game plan if he's out. Perry and Neal have to step up.
October 07, 2013 at 04:14 pm
Adam Schefter "Packers LB Clay Matthews still is undergoing more testing, but he is expected to miss one month with a broken thumb"
Twitter
October 07, 2013 at 04:21 pm
Well, it could be worse, but barely.
October 07, 2013 at 04:32 pm
The meat of the upcoming schedule still has plenty of winnable games even without him in the lineup. If the secondary gets shored up with the eventual return of Heyward and the run defense continues to be stout, this could work out ok.
October 07, 2013 at 04:39 pm
Good practice against some mediocre offenses.
Should be a good experience for Neal and Perry.
October 07, 2013 at 06:13 pm
I can't get on Perry's back anymore he really stepped it up but a big part of it the defense played a normal -just like all other teams Dom, a four man front is something he is familiar with and can operate in.
This six seven man front is a joke. It confuses the players just as much as the fans.
October 07, 2013 at 10:59 pm
No it only confuses you! Primarily since you don't know what the F your talking about!