Neal and Poppinga Done For the Year

Mike Neal and Brady Poppinga will need season-ending surgery. Neal's injury leaves the defensive line in crisis.

At his morning press conference, Mike McCarthy confirmed reports that surfaced last week that rookie defensive end Mike Neal and linebacker Brady Poppinga would both require season ending surgery, Neal for a shoulder injury and Poppinga for a knee injury suffered last week against the Dolphins.

The Packers have major issues on the defensive line coming out of the Vikings game. Ryan Pickett was only able to play seven snaps last night as his ankle was just not ready to hold up from scrimmage. Compounding the depth issues was the fact that Cullen Jenkins pulled a calf muscle while warming up on his own - 15 minutes after the game day inactives had been handed in, meaning the Packers had only 44 players available to them rather than the usual 45.

The week will no doubt be spent monitoring Jenkins and Pickett as the Packers head for a date with the New York Jets and their physical offensive line. The Vikings pounded the football at the injury depleted Packers to great effect and you can bet we'll see a lot more smash mouth football in New York this Sunday.

 

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Comments (31)

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PkrNboro's picture

October 25, 2010 at 12:44 pm

I thought that Brady Poppinga had arthroscopic surgery in recent weeks -- does this mean he needs another (third) surgery ?

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Mr.Man's picture

October 25, 2010 at 12:50 pm

I'm wondering if I should be upset with Thompson for drafting another promising defensive lineman with some college injury history (i.e. Neal had surgery on that same shoulder while in college). It stinks seing a young player flash his promise, and then get hurt.

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PackerAaron's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:00 pm

He never missed a game because of the shoulder though, if I'm not mistaken.

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ToddFromMinnesota's picture

October 25, 2010 at 12:58 pm

I wanted to say good bye to all you Yeller Fans, I'll see you in the dome and I hope the refs call this one fair.

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PackerAaron's picture

October 25, 2010 at 12:59 pm

And now, of course, its the refs fault.

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PkrNboro's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:04 pm

Todd,

The mission of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota is to enhance mental health, promote individual empowerment, and increase access to treatment and services for persons with mental illnesses.

http://www.mentalhealthmn.org/

Go for it !!

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bigfog's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:11 pm

I hope they call it fair next time too Todd. Man, Clay was getting held all night. Refs will clean that up for the next encounter.

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nunobow's picture

October 25, 2010 at 02:48 pm

How come I really don't think that you are talking or thinking about, it also would mean that Frank Walker will be called for a penalty after causing a red zone INT (first one to touch ball after being out of bounds)?

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G-Town Mike's picture

October 25, 2010 at 04:19 pm

Always an excuse when the Queens lose, huh? Whatever, go get your QB a cane.

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Anderson's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:03 pm

Man I hope the surgeon gives us a discount after all the work we keep sending his/her way.

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Cole's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:11 pm

Sucks to lose Neal. Hopefully this is last we see of Poppinga. Nothing personal, I'm sure he's a great guy, but he isn't a difference maker.

I hope we draft a difference making OLB in the first round next year.

If Neal and Burnett return healthy next year this could go down as the best TT draft ever.

Bulaga
Neal
Burnett
Wilson
Quarless
Newhouse (remains to be seen)

Plus, Zombo, Shields, Crabtree.

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some guy's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:16 pm

Its just straight up comical how many injuries we've had. unreal.

What also amazes me is that this team has lost 3 games with late field goals in games they should have won, despite the casualties.

i think that speaks volumes about what kind of people this organization has.

but to be fair, this season is lost. Making the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment. any success this year is icing on the cake.

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lebowski's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:38 pm

Agreed, this is turning into a lost season, just too many injuries to overcome. The guys will keep fighting, obviously, but there's a reason players are starters or on the street, and we keep having to pull guys off the street every week. Ridiculous.

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RickyBobby's picture

October 25, 2010 at 02:07 pm

disagree.

the nfc is horrible.

WIDE.

OPEN.

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Cole's picture

October 25, 2010 at 03:01 pm

How can you say the season is lost when we have the second best record in the conference and are tied for first in the division.

If our offense gets going we will make the playoffs.

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lebowski's picture

October 25, 2010 at 09:38 pm

Our schedule is about to get tough. And we have CJ Wilson, Jarius Wynn and Michael Montgomery for ends. Jackson has helped cushion Grant's loss (which wasn't big to begin with) and our secondary will be okay without Burnett, but linebacker was woefully thin to begin with. Can't afford any more, and we have A LOT of games left. I'm hoping, but pessimistic.

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Zub-a-Dub's picture

October 25, 2010 at 10:12 pm

Dever was 6-0 last year and did mot make the playoffs.

These injuries are significant.

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Jordan's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:38 pm

To the man at the top, arthroscopic surgery often just means they stuck a camera into his leg to actually see what was going on with the tendons and muscles. However, the repair of those ligaments is left to a different surgery.

Side note: Neal and Burnett have both shown flashes of greatness, next year, hopefully the injury bug wont strike again (or at least not in so many places) and our defense will be all kinds of dominant. It is starting to look like the pack will need to invest a higher pick on the LB position either outside or in.

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PkrNboro's picture

October 25, 2010 at 03:06 pm

thank you.

I didn't know if it was a nip/tuck/trim-scar-tissue deal that needed more time to heal.

Regards,
PkrNboro (aka "the man at the top")

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ZeroTolerance's picture

October 25, 2010 at 01:41 pm

What is Revis's status for the game?

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Chris's picture

October 25, 2010 at 03:42 pm

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RickyBobby's picture

October 25, 2010 at 02:05 pm

I'm not going to get upset about not having Neal or Burnett or Popinga. We've played most of the year without these guys.

In my opinion...

Bigby + Smith > Burnett right now. While I feel that Burnett will be the better player in the long run... he's still only a rookie. By the way - I thought Peprah did a lot of good things last night.

Bishop > Barnett. Not just because of the int/6. He may not be as fluid but he seems more sudden.

Popinga's just "a dude". zombo and jones are both better.

The loss of Neal is big, but let's be real. The guy has hardly played all year. I also thought CJW played pretty well.

You gotta be impressed with the guys we've had step up.
Quarless has some skills, Bjax has been doin' the job when given the opportunity, Bulaga kicked some arse and is only gonna get better, Bishop has played very well, etc...

In my opinion the #1 concern for me right now is QB. What's goin' on with AR? as soon as he gets his shit in gear (and I think he will) LOOK OUT! If AR doesn't throw 2 RZ picks, or throw 5 balls to imaginary receivers on the sideline - last night would have been a blowout.

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Cole's picture

October 25, 2010 at 03:05 pm

Yeah, it's crazy that the secondary has somehow turned into our deepest position group.

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Zub-a-Dub's picture

October 25, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Defensive line is the main issue, offensive will be fine.

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PackersRS's picture

October 25, 2010 at 02:16 pm

The week isn't over till some Packer player is placed on IR.

Is it weird or just sad that I've come to expect those injuries, and just take them as part of life?

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Chad's picture

October 25, 2010 at 02:37 pm

About as weird/sad that I hold my breath every time something good happens in a game, waiting for a flag to pop up.

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PackersRS's picture

October 25, 2010 at 05:32 pm

There's that too... Damn these Packers are ruining my mental health.

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Tommyboy's picture

October 25, 2010 at 02:45 pm

Man are we banged up. This is out of hand. I hope we never have to find this out on a gameday, but does anyone know who are emergency qb would be should A-Rod and Flynn go down?

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Cole's picture

October 25, 2010 at 03:08 pm

Jordy Nelson

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PackRat's picture

October 25, 2010 at 05:44 pm

<>

Brett Favre.

Off waivers.

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Steve in Mpls's picture

October 25, 2010 at 09:16 pm

Three weeks in a row. Do or die. Hate to say
I can't take these blasts to the ticker, my
plaque begins to flow. However, beating those
filthy Queens will make a early demise just
in the Lord's eyes. I cannot lie, I love the
Green Bay Packers that much.

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