Montgomery's Prolonged Recovery is Less Than Ideal

Ty Montgomery still isn't 100 percent and as a result, fans are restless. 

Days, weeks, months - all have passed since the young, promising wide receiver in Ty Montgomery was knocked out of his ascending role in the team's offense with what was originally thought to be a minor ankle injury. As the 2015 season went on, repetitive setbacks prevented him from getting back onto the field sooner than he wanted to.

Much to the chagrin of Montgomery and the Packers' coaching staff, the rookie receiver never found himself on the gridiron for the remainder of the season, but instead found himself under the knife in mid-December. The surgery repaired the torn ligament in his ankle, just shortly after the team placed him on injured reserve. 

More than nine months have passed since the initial injury and as the Packers opened up their 59th consecutive training camp at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Montgomery joined fellow wide receiver Jordy Nelson on the training camp PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Among the two, inside linebacker Sam Barrington, right guard T.J. Lang, center Corey Linsley and newest tight end addition Jared Cook also appeared on the PUP list.

This doesn't mean Montgomery and the five other players on that list are doomed for the remainder preseason (though that would probably be best). PUP list designees can be activated at any point in training camp. Check here for more clarification.

As disheartening as it is to see Montgomery still standing out as "physically unable to perform", it may just be for precaution above all else. Green Bay's medical staff is notorious for how conservative they are with injuries and likely won't allow a player to participate if they're nothing short of 110%. Especially in Montgomery's case, who brought a spark to the Packers' offense and on special teams during the first five-and-a-half games of the season.

Montgomery makes Seattle's Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner look silly.

For a rookie, Montgomery embodied all that is versatility, proving his worth on kick returns as well as a slot receiver in place of Randall Cobb - who was forced almost full-time to the outside in Nelson's absence. Montgomery was also utilized out of the backfield and with his physicality, lined up on the outside to give opposing defenders a run for their money.

Initially diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, some may question the legitimacy of this injury and if the organization is "hiding" further details from its fans. 

Nobody has been "left in the dark". Montgomery's injury has been as clear as day and the offseason has been riddled with updates on his condition, from the week after his surgery to his appearance at the Wisconsin Sports Awards in April where he was seen walking without crutches. The several setbacks in his recovery likely occured during his consistent efforts to get back into the lineup and possibly heightened the severity of his injury.

Montgomery answered when called upon during the limited 249 snaps he saw, hauling in 15 of his 19 targets for 136 yards and two touchdowns. It's worth noting he also averaged 31.1 yards on his seven kick returns, however, it's unlikely - at least for the team's benefit - that he'll be be sporting much of a role on special teams in his sophomore campaign.

 

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (19)

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NickPerry's picture

July 28, 2016 at 07:40 am

This is the injury that's driving me crazy though after reading and understanding how the PUP List actually is used I felt better about him being on the PUP list. For example I wasn't aware once they took him off and he's bruised up in TC, he can't go back on.

There was a piece on Packers.com which made me feel a little better about Monty's place on the list. Like most players, he feels he's ready to be on the field now which I find encouraging. He feels 100% ready (No Surprise) but what I like most about Monty is his attitude, it's outstanding! McCarthy has also said he expects them all to be ready for the season. This is one I hope it's sooner than later.

Here's the link if you want to give it a listen..

http://www.packers.com/media-center/videos/Montgomery-Theres-an-urgency/...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 28, 2016 at 07:56 am

I've no idea how serious Montgomery's injury is. I agree with everything about the PUP rules and the need to be conservative. I suppose that Monty's statements do show a good attitude, but they sound pretty much the "same as the last 80 [injured] guys said."

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 28, 2016 at 11:38 am

Nice post. This makes me feel better about his return. @Nick

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sonomaca's picture

July 28, 2016 at 07:53 am

I had a torn ankle ligament repaired 30 years ago. Went through PT. It's never been quite the same since.

At best, Nelson and Montgomery are going to be less than 100%. It's fortunate that the Packers have 5 preseason games to get the young receivers more playing time.

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dobber's picture

July 28, 2016 at 08:40 am

Not to belittle your injury and recovery, but this is a different era of surgery, rehab, and conditioning...especially for professional athletes. I don't disagree that Nelson and Monty are unknowns at this point. We can only hope that his work will pay off for him and for the Packers.

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John Galt III's picture

July 28, 2016 at 06:55 pm

I had a terrible ankle sprain that ended my college sports career in the early 1970's. It was very weak for years after.

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Tundraboy's picture

July 28, 2016 at 07:57 am

Other than Jordy, there is noone else I want to see play a full season than Montgomery. Oh please God, give us that and Adam's health and recovery.

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EdsLaces's picture

July 28, 2016 at 11:23 am

This jordy "hiccup" would be a lot easier to deal with of Monty was healthy.

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Bearmeat's picture

July 28, 2016 at 11:26 am

Monty, Jordy, Adams, Cook, Cobb, Janis, Abby... all have some type of question marks on them. IF it all comes together, this offense will be a 550 point juggernaut. If is all falls apart, the Vikes will win the division and we'll be on the road in the playoffs again.

What's going to happen is probably some type of in between. I'd bet Monty not being the same is more likely than Cobb or Jordy coming back to themselves.

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Point-Packer's picture

July 28, 2016 at 02:51 pm

Derek Sherrod anyone?

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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

July 29, 2016 at 12:22 pm

I don't think Derek Sherrod could play receiver, but nice thought.

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Icebowler's picture

July 28, 2016 at 03:52 pm

Simply way too early to speculate on any of these PUP players.

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sonomaca's picture

July 28, 2016 at 10:51 pm

The Pack signed another receiver. That's a clue that maybe we shouldn't
R-E-L-A-X. I don't think Montgomery is going to be right this year. I don't think Nelson is going to be anywhere near 100% until the 2nd half of the season.

OTOH: very excited about Davis. Cal had a stud receiving corps, but I think most of the credit went to Goff. Maybe it should have been the other way around. We'll see.

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dobber's picture

July 29, 2016 at 06:22 am

Davis has apparently had some good moments early in this camp.

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dobber's picture

July 29, 2016 at 10:18 am

"The Pack signed another receiver. That's a clue that maybe we shouldn't
R-E-L-A-X."

...because when you know your depth chart is hurting and you're concerned about your quality at WR you ring the phone of Arena League player Harvey Binford?

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Clay the 1st's picture

July 29, 2016 at 07:40 pm

You are the LAST person to be using the world NEVER.

Remember when you promised your would NEVER come back to this website?

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lucky953's picture

July 28, 2016 at 11:42 pm

The three most important receivers to have healthy this year are all named Jordy Nelson. I hope Montgomery makes it back but I'm not expecting much from him. 50-50 that Adams gets cut?

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Clay the 1st's picture

July 29, 2016 at 01:32 pm

This injury is killling me...I have been trying to drop comments all off season about Ty.

HEALTHY I take him over Adams any day. Adams continues to plummet in my book. He's a serviceable guy but please noooo not our number 3.

Janis is what he is. Three years and he is still looking for chemistry with Rodgers.

I could see Abby or Davis moving way up the charts if Ty stays injured and Adams and Janis just can't get it together. Don't get me wrong I WISH Janis was what everyone wants him to be and I love in on special teams.

Adams may be the "seventh receiver" quite honestly.

Just give me Tyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is a beast.

End rant

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Paul Glotz's picture

July 30, 2016 at 01:03 am

I think it's entirely reasonable that either one or both of them have a solid statistical year. The bigger concern IMO isn't will they recover in time but rather will they make it through their 1st year back without a significant reoccurrence of injury. Its obvious that we are being prudent with working them back into the program gradually and that's how you would handle any injury Right?
If we get just 80% production of either players potential? This team will by default be better in Offense. Add to that another year of experience for Janis, Abby and Davante and the addition of a field stretcher in Davis. Add to that a big athletic TD in Cook. Add to that 2 decent Big O Tackles for depth on the edge. Add to that a renewed and committed Lacy and we are gonna stomp on some teams as long as AR is standing tall.

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