Packers Daily Links: Worthy Done for Season with Knee Injury

Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Jerel Worthy has been lost for the season. That and more in today's Daily Links...

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy made it official on Wednesday that rookie defensive lineman Jerel Worthy had suffered a season-ending knee injury. "Worthy played 467 of the Packers' 991 defensive snaps (47 percent) this season in games in which he was active," writes Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin. "Of Green Bay's defensive linemen, only full-time starters B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett were on the field more." The Packers have now lost their top two draft choices for the season, including first-rounder Nick Perry. In the short-term, the Packers probably still have sufficient depth on the defensive line to get through the playoffs now that C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal appear to be healthy and effective.

More on Jerel Worthy comes from CBS ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings has been the subject of much media coverage following the critical comments by his sister of quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Twitter. "I'm like, 'C'mon, you can't do that to me,' " Jennings is quoted as saying by Paul Imig. "I'm not mad at her, I'm not saying it was right, I'm not saying it's wrong. It's her opinion. She puts me in a position where I have to answer to you guys, which, selfishly, that's unfair." Jennings' sister has since changed her Twitter name and made her account private. Jennings said he's talked to Rodgers about the comments and that there's no animosity between them. What makes the whole situation comical is that both Rodgers and Jennings are coming off great performances against the Vikings. Jennings got the ball plenty of times and Rodgers was unworthy of such criticism.

More on the fallout from Greg Jennings and his sister comes from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, ESPNMilwaukee.com, Packer Report and JSOnline.

Greg Jennings also expressed his aversion to playing in the cold weather, passed along in articles at Fox Sports Wisconsin and JSOnline.

But Greg Jennings isn't the only one who doesn't like the cold weather, writes Lori Nickel at the Journal Sentinel.

Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements on Wednesday confirmed that he has been granted permission to interview for the head coaching position of the Chicago Bears. The next question is, "When?" "NFL rules state that because the Packers are in the NFC Wild Card playoff round, the earliest Clements could interview with Chicago would be Sunday," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. "That's when a one-week interviewing window opens for assistants on teams that win their Wild Card games. Should the Packers lose to the Minnesota Vikings Saturday night, Clements would be free to interview immediately." It appears as if Clements declined to elaborate about the Bears' interest, which makes sense seeing as he can't even interview until this weekend at the earliest, he might as well focus on the Vikings in the meantime.

More on Tom Clements comes from Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Press-Gazette.

Despite wide receiver Jordy Nelson saying that he anticipates on playing in Saturday's playoff game, Mike McCarthy expressed some reservation on Wednesday. "I thought Jordy ran well in the workout that he did in the Hutson Center, looked pretty good in the routes on air," McCarthy is quoted as saying by Tom Silverstein of JSOnline. "I know Pat McKenzie wants to evaluate him again tomorrow, he wants to make sure – he has some concerns. It will probably take until tomorrow to see where Jordy is." Based upon reports that Nelson is practicing and looking fine, the guess here is that he will play against the Vikings, but we'll know more after Thursday's practice.

More on Jordy Nelson comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com and JSOnline.

It's looking as if the Packers could use both Randall Cobb and Jeremy Ross on returns on Sunday, according to articles at JSOnline, ESPNMilwaukee.com and CBSSports.com.

Kicker Mason Crosby is making the Packers look good for placing their trust in him. Items on Crosby appear at Fox Sports Wisconsin, ESPNMilwaukee.com, Packers.com and Packer Report.

A feature article on special teams coaches Shawn Slocum and Chad Morton and the job they've done this season appears at the Press-Gazette.

The story of DuJuan Harris going from car salesman to featured running back of the Packers is told at ESPNMilwaukee.com and Packer Report.

It's been a while since the Packers have had all their top receiving options available. Bill Huber of Packer Report looks at that situation.

Running back Alex Green is still working through issues with his surgically-repaired knee, reports Tom Silverstein.

The performance of rookie offensive lineman Don Barclay is analyzed by Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel.

Reports from Vikings country come from the Journal Sentinel about Christian Ponder's leadership and Adrian Peterson's health.

Analysis of the Packers blitz and the Packers secondary against the Vikings comes from AllGreenBayPackers.com.

The Packers' recent history of playing at home in the playoffs hasn't exactly been overwhelming, as noted by the Associated Press.

Referee Scott Green will call the Packers-Vikings game. More information comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Clay Matthews told JSOnline that he's lucky he wasn't hurt worse in this past Sunday's game.

The Packers offense gets some attention in an article at the team's official website.

Articles on the Packers' 2013 schedule and the impact of Charles Woodson come from CBSSports.com.

Pro Football Weekly looks at the Packers secondary vs. Christian Ponder.

The guys at the Press-Gazette have their weekly Insiders video.

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker and Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt wish the Packers luck in the playoffs.

Video: Wide receiver James Jones talks with ProFootballTalk.com about Saturday's playoff game...

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and an editor at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (22)

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Evan's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:00 am

When was the last time Rodgers had his full stable of WRs available?

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Evan's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:32 am

I looked it up all by myself!

It was week 13 against the Vikes.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

January 03, 2013 at 08:55 pm

Albert Breer said today on NFLN it was week 4. Idk, I just know it'll be nice to have everybody.

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Evan's picture

January 03, 2013 at 09:31 pm

Really?? Who was out in the Vikes game? That was Jennings first game back and before Jordy got hurt.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

January 04, 2013 at 01:25 am

Idk, he said week 4, Sept 30th since Rodgers had his full crew. Maybe he was talking about for the whole game... Idk. He coulda been wrong, NFLN doesn't appear to run the tightest ship.

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hayward4president's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:01 am

At least we still have an amazing talent from the draft still playing. Casey Hayyyy! Go pack go!

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lebowski's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:18 am

Dear Valyncia, the Packers drafted your brother before most thought probable, have provided him with two amazing quarterbacks, made him a star and have paid him handsomely. Fans and teammates have adored him. Shut your stupid pie hole.

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Evan's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:29 am

Let's see what she has to say when Ponder or Tannehill are sailing throws 5 feet over his head or leading him into a head-on collision for the next 4 years.

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Mojo's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:27 pm

You make a good point about the head-on-collisions Evan. I think ARod is one of the best, if not the best, at NOT putting his receivers in precarious situations. It could be part of the reason he holds the ball longer than other QB's would(and quite often taking a beating for it). You would think that the receiving corp. would recognize this. I think, a few years back, to his regret, he threw Finley into coverage and Finley ended up with a torn knee, something Arod expressed remorse over later.

There are many QB's in this league who have no hesitation to dump the ball off to receivers who are running into coverage. If I were a receiver, having someone who's got your back (and front) would be very much appreciated.

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Denver's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:38 am

Amen to that. I wonder how she'll like it if Ponder is his QB next year. Or Brandon Weeden. Or whoever the QB is for the Cardinals next year....

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Denver's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:39 am

Oops, beat me to it, Evan.

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Norman's picture

January 03, 2013 at 01:42 pm

By then her meal ticket will have been punched again so she won't care how he plays, now that the money is locked up.

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MarkinMadison's picture

January 03, 2013 at 03:32 pm

Depends on how much guaranteed money he gets. 29. Injured most of the year. This ain't the MLB.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

January 03, 2013 at 08:56 pm

:-)

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PacMan's picture

January 03, 2013 at 11:34 am

Maybe they should start doing bone density scans (or something like that) before the draft.

Or maybe there should be a rule protecting first round (or two) draft choices from hard hits - just like the QB.

Assuming these guys come back healthy, it will be like have 4 first/second round draft choices. But the way this team has pulled together the last few years with undrafted guys, maybe TT should trade away the early round choices for a Clay book end.

Can he do that in the next couple days to stop Peterson?

"TACKLE HIS LEGS!!!"

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mark's picture

January 03, 2013 at 02:56 pm

Bulaga, Neal, Alex Green, Sherrod, Perry, Worthy, Quarless, DJ Smith...

It's been a tough run health-wise for the recent Green Bay draft picks. Thankfully, we have a GM who also finds guys like Dezman Moses, Brad Jones, Don Barclay, etc.

But sometimes I think about what this Packer team could be if healthy and it's like.....dang.

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lebowski's picture

January 03, 2013 at 03:43 pm

Seriously, we'll be getting three first round draft picks back on the field next year... and adding another.

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mark's picture

January 03, 2013 at 04:24 pm

Great way to look at it Lebowski. Lotta ins and outs and what have yous.

2013: our troubles are over dude.

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lebowski's picture

January 03, 2013 at 05:17 pm

we can only hope

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GreenBaySavant's picture

January 03, 2013 at 10:15 pm

Don't forget we haven't had Bishop either.

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Evan's picture

January 03, 2013 at 10:35 pm

Or DJ Smith! Man, I had almost forgotten about the ILBs we lost.

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lebowski's picture

January 03, 2013 at 10:38 pm

I think that's an even bigger loss than Bulaga. Can't wait to see him on the field again.

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