The Green Bay Packers will be battling for a playoff spot over the next three weeks. The good news here is that they will have linebacker Clay Matthews on the field for those games and a potential playoff run.
The bad news? Matthews could have to undergo off-season shoulder surgery, which could place into question his availability for OTAs and even training camp.
“Clay Matthews’ separated left shoulder has turned him into a part-time player for the Green Bay Packers and while he hopes he will be able to do more each week, he believes it will be problematic for the rest of the season,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported Thursday. “And it may take surgery after the season to fix it.”
Matthews at 50 percent is better than any other Packers linebacker at 100 percent.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, injuries to other players at this position has forced the Pro Bowler to move inside from his natural edge rushing spot. Now that he’s been relegated to part-time duty with this shoulder injury, the Packers could be facing longer-term issues moving forward on the season.
As it relates to potential surgery, that still seems to be up in the air.
“I’ll see a specialist, and he’ll let me know,” Matthews said.
Green bay is currently one game back in the NFC Wild Card race and has a date with the Chicago Bears on Sunday.