Mike Neal Provides A Timetable For Return
Mike Neal told reporters that he hopes to return in 4-5 weeks.
By maxginsberg
On Thursday, Packers defensive end Mike Neal made himself available to the media for the first time since a September 13 knee surgery.
Not sounding overly confident, the second-year lineman said he hopes to return after the week 8 bye.
“That’s my target,” said Neal. “But the doctor told me that one week it could feel good, another week it could feel bad. You just don’t know. My target is 4-5 weeks and just go from there."
In his two-year career, Neal has only appeared in two games. Despite this limited audition, the Packers felt confident enough in Neal's play to anoint him the starter entering the 2011 season. After Neal's second significant injury in two years, however, the team is left hoping to see Neal play at all.
As he attempts to shed the label of injury-prone, the former Purdue Boilermaker told reporters that he'll be ready to go when he returns this season.
"No limitations," he said. "When I come back, I'm coming back 100 percent. I don't want to give anybody a reason to doubt that I can't go 100 percent."
Comments (4)
September 29, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Unfortunately I'm sure Justin Harrell felt the same way. Not saying he's going to end up a bust like Harrell, but so far so bad. I wish you the best Mike.
September 29, 2011 at 10:18 pm
I agree.
It is hard to rely on a player's own assessment of when he will be back.
I think Neal has said he is fine after every injury he has had.
I understand he hates the "injury prone" label. But at a certain point it is just a fact, you gotta stay healthy to remove it.
September 30, 2011 at 10:15 am
It's all a ruse by the Packers. Just like last year with Starks, they're saving some of their weapons to be unleashed at the end of the year to give opponents something to worry about.
In an unrelated question, anybody know if Green is healthy enough to play if Grant has to sit?
September 30, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I'll be back 100% leaving no doubt.How many times since early August has he said and we heard that.
This is why I think players should not be allowed to discuss their injuries or returns.It's already hard enough trying to figure out if the coaching staff is truthful enough.