Packers injury report: DE Jerel Worthy's rookie season over

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Packers DE Jerel Worthy had his rookie season end after suffering a knee injury against the Vikings on Sunday. (US Presswire)

The Green Bay Packers’ 37-34 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday ended their 11-5 regular season on a down note. The news was even worse for DE Jerel Worthy, who suffered a knee injury that has ended his rookie season.

The Packers made the announcement Wednesday after Worthy had completed medical tests and evaluations. 

"Worthy had a season-ending injury," coach Mike McCarthy said. "You can ask him (for details) if he wants to share that with you."

Worthy was unavailable for comment.

So the Packers must prepare to face the Vikings and their superhuman RB Adrian Peterson without the second-rounder from Michigan State. Worthy, who had 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 14 games (four starts), played the third-most snaps among Green Bay’s defensive linemen.

McCarthy said that there were ongoing conversations about what to do with Worthy’s roster spot, but no moves had been made. The defensive line has been hard-hit with injuries, with Worthy and fellow DEs Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson missing time recently.

With Worthy out, the Packers have six healthy defensive linemen. Veteran stalwarts B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett, who both can play end or tackle in the Packers’ 3-4; dependable DE Wilson, the best run-stopping end on the roster; robust DE Neal, a gifted pass-rusher; rookie DE Mike Daniels, who has two sacks and two fumble recoveries in limited snaps and first-year DL Jordan Miller, recently called up from the practice squad.

The only player who didn’t participate in practice Wednesday was undrafted rookie WR Jarrett Boykin. Little used on offense and mostly a special teams contributor, Boykin hurt his ankle making his only catch of the game, a falling, clutch, 7-yard reception on fourth-and-1, which ultimately led to a game-tying touchdown in a fourth-quarter drive against Minnesota.

McCarthy said that it will take some time for Boykin’s ankle injury to clear up but said it isn’t as severe as it first looked. Boykin was active over a healthy Donald Driver against the Vikings.

A few other Packers WRs were limited Wednesday.

WR Jordy Nelson, who hurt his knee against the Vikings, went through all individual and team drills during the walkthrough and also ran sprints. McCarthy said he looked good but hasn't been cleared by the medical staff.

“I thought Jordy ran well in the workout,” McCarthy said, adding that team doctors still had some concerns and would evaluate Nelson again on Thursday.

For his part, Nelson was cautiously optimistic about playing this week.

“We’ll be good. We’re good,” Nelson said Wednesday. “I feel good. I honestly do. As of today, I would say I plan on playing. But there’s a lot of time between now and then. I don’t want to come out and say I am playing and then something happens and you guys are all going to come back at me and say I lied.

“We’ll stay in discussion throughout the rest of the week. I was out there a little bit today, running routes, felt good. So we’ll continue to rehab and treat it and just continue to see how it feels. They always say they need to see how it reacts the next day. I think it’ll be fine. We’ll continue to work. Saturday, there’s a lot of time between now and then, and luckily it’s a night game so I get a few more hours.”

WR Randall Cobb (ankle) was limited again Wednesday. He was held out of last week’s game against the Vikings but has vowed to play against the Vikings.  

TE Jermichael Finley (quadriceps) was listed as limited, as was CB Davon House (hip). RB James Starks, who injured his knee in Week 13, was also limited. The Packers have expressed hope about Starks returning in time for the playoffs.

CB Charles Woodson, who missed the last nine games with a broken collarbone, has been cleared by the medical staff and was a full participant Wednesday.