Report: Packers Rookie TE Colt Lyerla Has Torn MCL & PCL in His Knee

No decision has yet to be made on Lyerla's future with the Packers for the 2014 season.

Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Colt Lyerla has both a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The talented but troubled tight end, formerly from the University of Oregon, potentially faces a year spent on injured reserve, or perhaps being waived with an injury settlement if the Packers choose not to keep him.

Having Lyerla spend the year on the practice squad or on short-term injured reserve are looking less likely in light of the news of the two torn ligaments in his knee, however, nothing has been ruled out by the Packers organization as of yet.

The Packers would only have to expose Lyerla to waivers if they want to clear room on their 90-man offseason roster. If they continue to carry him on the 90-man roster through the end of training camp, they can then place him on injured reserve without waivers.

McGinn also broached the subject of Lyerla potentially playing fullback for the Packers, to which Lyerla initially balked at but seemed to come around to the idea.

"I mean, whatever pays the bills," said Lyerla.

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Comments (9)

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Evan's picture

August 14, 2014 at 03:46 pm

"I mean, whatever pays the bills," said Lyerla.

Ugh. Maybe try "Whatever helps the team win..."

That said, I don't really know how he fits at FB. I didn't think he was especially known for his blocking.

I still say hang onto him - they have the open roster spot - and then put him on IR.

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jmac34's picture

August 14, 2014 at 04:04 pm

might as well keep him on the roster until they can IR him. They already have a spot on the roster due to the Worthy trade (although I doubt they use that spot seeing as there isn't a lot of time for anyone to make the team)

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zoellner25's picture

August 14, 2014 at 04:10 pm

I think he already said he'd agree to IR just to stick around, so I think he has the right attitude. Although sitting out another season would put him even farther back. Even he turns out to be just a decent special teamer and backup TE, that's not bad for an undrafted FA.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 14, 2014 at 09:28 pm

"he'd agree to IR"

I guess no one else wants to pay him $375,000 to rehab his knee.

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Imma Fubared's picture

August 14, 2014 at 05:14 pm

Another of Mikes, of just a sprained knee probably miss a couple of weeks. Ya we stopped listening to you Mike. Cried wolf too many times.

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4thand1's picture

August 14, 2014 at 07:58 pm

you suck

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PackerBacker's picture

August 15, 2014 at 08:15 am

I agree. I see that as their best option. Release him at the end of camp and pick him up on the PS. Then, after he's able to heal up he will at least be able to practice this year. I think it's worth taking a chance on him for the athleticism he has.

What's the worst that happens? He shows as the year goes on that he doesn't have what it takes and they release him?

IR's an option too, but it doesn't really help him develop.

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BradHTX's picture

August 15, 2014 at 08:11 am

Just a philosophical journalistic question, not necessarily directed at you personally, Brian.

Every article about Lyerla calls him "talented by troubled," so much so that it is pretty much a cliché now. At what point in his career, if ever, will Lyerla no longer be described as "troubled"? How long does he have to keep his nose clean before the statue of limitations kicks in and he is just "talented"?

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BradHTX's picture

August 15, 2014 at 08:10 am

I like you better when you're less predictable, Cow.

We don't know yet what Lyerla will turn into. He's clean now, and it remains to be seen whether he can stay that way. He's physically gifted, and it remains to be seen whether he can translate that into on-field production. He's been away from football for quite a while, so it's not surprising that the transition to the pro level didn't happen immediately.

We all know you can't stand him because of his Sandy Hook comments, and we've all discussed it ad nauseam. And you let your feelings about him as a person bias your opinion of him as a player, clearly, because objectively we simply don't yet know what we have in him.

But my question remains. If five years from now he is still clean and has been a model citizen, and he is a productive piece of the Packers offense, will he still be "talented but troubled"?

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