By: Stephen Patterson
The Green Bay Packers continue to lose players at an alarming rate to injuries, and the news just continues to get worse for the franchise. Jermichael Finley, who was previously expected to miss at least three weeks after undergoing knee surgery, will likely miss eight to ten weeks according to multiple sources. Finley injured the knee on the first play from scrimmage in Sunday's overtime loss to Washington and did not return to the game.
There has been talk within the organization about placing Finley on injured reserve, which would end his season. However, no decision is expected to be made this week on that move. Finley was off to the best statistical start of his young career, with 21 receptions for 301 yards and one touchdown this season. He was on pace to put up career best numbers in receptions and receiving yards.Finley's replacement in the game against the Redskins, Donald Lee, also was injured and will likely miss several weeks with a chest sprain. If Finley goes on injured reserve, the team will have to rely on Tom Crabtree and Andrew Quarless at tight end until Lee is able to return.
The Packers continue to lose key players, and with so many long-term or season-ending injuries, it will be hard for them to even reach the postseason, much less be considered serious contenders for the Super Bowl. They were my preseason pick to represent the NFC, but it's hard to imagine them beating teams like New Orleans, Minnesota, or Dallas in the postseason without so many key players on both sides of the ball.
Green Bay was struck early in the season by the injury bug, as they lost RB Ryan Grant for the season in their season-opening 27-20 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. Linebacker Nick Barnett injured his wrist in a Week 4 victory over Detroit, and could also miss the rest of the season. They lost starting safety Morgan Burnett for the season with a torn ACL.
Those are just the long-term injuries the team is facing and having to deal with. Franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion on their last offensive play of Sunday's game, and his status heading into their Week 6 match-up with the Miami Dolphins is uncertain. If he is unable to go on Sunday, the team will have to rely on rarely used back-up Matt Flynn.
Also, the Packers may be without linebacker Clay Matthews, who suffered a strained left hamstring late in Sunday's game against the Redskins. While he will likely play against the Dolphins on Sunday, expect him to be slightly limited and for head coach Mike McCarthy to be extremely careful with his playing time. He has been by far their player on the defensive side of the ball this season, and is leading the league in sacks with 8.5 heading into Week 6.
Green Bay's biggest roadblock in their potential run to a Super Bowl appearance this season has definitely been all of the injuries they have suffered. For now, the Packers need to remain focused on the short-term, and just try to rehab their star players over the next couple of weeks and not rush them back into a situation where they could miss even more time.
