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The Green Bay Packers saw virtually no change on their injury report from Thursday's practice compared to the report released on Wednesday of this week. As the team prepares for their week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, star linebacker Clay Matthews continues to practice but be listed as a limited participant, along with fellow linebacker Nick Perry and wideout Ty Montgomery.
Fullback Aaron Ripkowski returned as a full participant after sitting out on Wednesday with an illness. Ripkowski should be full-go for Sunday's game. The Packers unfortunately did not get either of their injured cornerbacks back today, as both Sam Shields and Quinten Rollins sat out for the second straight day.
However, Rollins spoke to reporters following practice and revealed that his neck injury is not serious. He said that all x-rays came up negative and that none of his vertebrae were damaged, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. That is great news and suggests that he should not follow in the footsteps of former Packers Jermichael Finley, Nick Collins, and several others who have suffered career-ending neck fractures.
As for Matthews, the Packers will need him against a tough Panthers running game. He told reporters on Thursday that despite being limited, he was able to do almost all of his normal work. Furthermore, he is optimistic that he will be close to full strength in time for the game:
#Packers ILB Clay Matthews is pleased with progress of his ankle: "Hopefully, come Sunday, it shouldn't be too much of an issue."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 5, 2015
Only a few of the Panthers' key players have showed up on this week's injury report. Josh Norman, a budding star at cornerback, was out on Wednesday with an illness but returned on Thursday, much like Ripkowski. Starting center Ryan Kalil sat out Wednesday as well with an ankle issue, but was listed as limited today. He, along with linebacker Shaq Thompson (who has been a full participant this week), were inactive for Monday's game against the Colts. Backup center Fernando Velasco has also been limited this week with a shoulder injury.