Acme Packing Company - Clay Matthews Injury: Hamstring Limiting Packers' LinebackerWhere "Draft and Develop" isn't just a philosophy...it's a way of life.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46645/acmepackingco_fave.png2013-10-03T15:08:30-05:00http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/rss/stream/45595612013-10-03T15:08:30-05:002013-10-03T15:08:30-05:00McCarthy Presser 10/3: Matthews to Play on Sunday
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There's finally some good news on the Packers' injury report.</p> <p>After the gloom and doom of yesterday's press conference, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy had some pleasant news to report.</p>
<p>Principally, McCarthy discussed the return of <span>Clay Matthews</span> and his effect on the defense.</p>
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<p>[Matthews] took his full allotment of reps today, looked good. Took a step today. We'll see how he is tomorrow.</p>
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<p>Given McCarthy's tone when discussing Matthews yesterday, this is a surprising development. Reading between the lines, it sure sounds like he expects Matthews to play Sunday against the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lions</a>. That's not only good news for the Packers' pass rush, but also a boon for their hopes of slowing down <span>Reggie Bush</span>.</p>
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<p>[Bush] is a three-down player. He has the ability to do all three things on every down. That's a big compliment for a running back.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/10/3/4795972/lions-at-packers-five-questions-acme-packing-company">As we discussed in the Q&A over at Pride of Detroit</a>, stopping Bush will be as critical to the Packers' chances as their coverage of Calvin Johnson. Bush opens up the offense in ways that their tailbacks in years prior couldn't. Having Matthews back will help if for no other reason than his presence should reduce the amount of time <span>Matthew Stafford</span> has to find a receiver. It'll be interesting to see what Dom Capers comes up with to slow down the Lions' running back.</p>
<p>McCarthy also discussed the kick return game, explaining that they don't have a primary returner at the moment. This is probably good news for those who'd like to see Cobb's exposure on special teams minimized. That doesn't mean Cobb won't field a few punts or kickoffs, but it sounds as though others like <span>Johnathan Franklin</span> and <span>Micah Hyde</span> are going to see time there as well.</p>
<p>That's it from McCarthy. Keep your internet machines tuned to Acme Packing Company for the latest Packers news and updates.</p>
<p><i>Jason Hirschhorn covers the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> for Acme Packing Co. He has previously written for Lombardi Ave, College Hoops Net, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is also currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter: </i><a href="http://twitter.com/JBHirschhorn"><i>@JBHirschhorn</i><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1230953/twitter-bird-blue-on-white.png" width="20"></a></p>
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https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/3/4799828/mccarthy-presser-10-3-matthews-to-play-against-lionsJason B. Hirschhorn2013-10-03T11:57:39-05:002013-10-03T11:57:39-05:00Clay Matthews Practicing Fully on Thursday<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/4559561">Clay Matthews Practicing Fully on&nbsp;Thursday</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>The Packers' premier defensive player, Clay Matthews, appeared to be a full participant in the team's practice on Thursday, signaling that he should be ready to play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.</p></p></div>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/3/4798952/clay-matthews-practicing-fully-on-thursdayEvan "Tex" Western2013-10-02T14:13:49-05:002013-10-02T14:13:49-05:00McCarthy Presser 10/1: Returning from the Break
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Packers head coach Mike McCarthy provided some encouraging news on Clay Matthews, but the same cannot be said for Casey Hayward.</p> <p>It's been awhile since the last time Packers head coach Mike McCarthy met the press. Wednesday's was a lively affair, with several surprise injury announcements and developments.</p>
<p>Here's the full rundown of McCarthy's full injury report:</p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> S <span>Morgan Burnett</span> - full participation (hamstring)</li>
<li> CB Jarrett Bush - full participation (hamstring)</li>
<li> TE Jermichael Finley - full participation (concussion)</li>
<li> CB <span>Casey Hayward</span> - ruled out for Sunday (hamstring)</li>
<li> RB John Kuhn - full participation (hamstring)</li>
<li> LB <span>Clay Matthews</span> - limited participation (hamstring)</li>
<li> RB James Starks - did not practice (knee)</li>
<li> OL <span>Greg Van Roten</span> - ruled out for Sunday (foot)</li>
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<p>For those keeping score at home, that's <u>five</u> hamstring injuries, though several seem to be progressing. The notable exception is Casey Hayward, who will miss his six straight week with lingering effects from the hamstring pull he suffered in the third preseason game against Seattle. McCarthy said the team will know more early next week. Expect to see <span>Tramon Williams</span> again take over slot duties with <span>Davon House</span> filling in on the outside.</p>
<p>McCarthy labeled Starks in the "category of a couple of weeks." That's actually good news given that <a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/9/30/4788122/packers-sign-michael-hill-to-53-add-reggie-dunn-to-practice-squad">Michael Hill's signing seemed to indicate a worse injury</a>. This also allows for <span>Eddie Lacy</span> and <span>Johnathan Franklin</span> to continue to vie for greater roles in the running game.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/2/4795064/clay-matthews-injury-update-packers-hamstring-not-practicing">It was reported earlier today that Clay Matthews did not participate in practice</a>, but McCarthy informed the press that Matthews partook in a limited capacity after media availability. That doesn't necessarily mean Matthews is on track to suit up for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> this Sunday, but at least a lengthy absence doesn't seem likely anymore.</p>
<p>The biggest surprise from McCarthy's presser was the news on Greg Van Roten. There had been no indication that Van Roten was even injured, but now he's expected to miss "multiple weeks." Your McCarthy to English dictionary will tell you that multiple weeks means likely three or more. This puts rookie <span>Lane Taylor</span> one play away from game action.</p>
<p>That's all from McCarthy. Keep your internet machines tuned to Acme Packing Company for the latest Packers news and developments.</p>
<p><i>Jason Hirschhorn covers the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a> for Acme Packing Co. He has previously written for Lombardi Ave, College Hoops Net, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is also currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter: </i><a href="http://twitter.com/JBHirschhorn"><i>@JBHirschhorn</i><img width="20" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1230953/twitter-bird-blue-on-white.png"></a></p>
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https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/2/4795654/mccarthy-presser-10-1-returning-from-the-breakJason B. Hirschhorn2013-10-02T13:46:11-05:002013-10-02T13:46:11-05:00UPDATE: Matthews Did Practice on Limited Basis
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<p>Earlier today, we informed you that based on media reports, Clay Matthews was sitting out the Packers' practice today due to his hamstring injury. We are pleased to update you that Matthews was in fact practicing (albeit on a limited basis) today:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Packers&src=hash">#Packers</a>: Burnett full, FInley full, Franklin full, Bush full, Hayward OUT, Kuhn full, Lacy fun, Matthews limited, GVR-foot out, Starks out</p>
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesHod/statuses/385471797493104640">October 2, 2013</a>
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<p>We'll have more when we break down coach Mike McCarthy's full comments from his press conference, but this is a much better sign for Matthews' availability on Sunday against the Lions than we initially thought.</p>
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/2/4795554/clay-matthews-injury-limited-participant-in-packers-wednesday-practiceEvan "Tex" Western2013-10-02T12:00:10-05:002013-10-02T12:00:10-05:00Matthews Initially Not Practicing on Wednesday
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We have bad news on the Packers' star outside linebacker's availability for Sunday's game.</p> <p><span>Clay Matthews</span>' hamstrings have been a frequent topic of discussion among <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Packers</a> fans. In 2012, a hamstring injury kept Matthews out of four games. This year, he tweaked a hammy again in week 3 against the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a>, missing the entire second half and watching the defense fall apart without him on the field.</p>
<p>With his status in doubt for Sunday's week 5 game against the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a>, we at Acme Packing Company have been eagerly awaiting Wednesday's injury report, hopeful that Matthews returned to the practice field today. He did not. From Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Packers&src=hash">#Packers</a> practice: Matthews, Hayward, Starks, Van Roten were out. Finley, Kuhn, and Bush are back.</p>
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomSilverstein/statuses/385444490422415360">October 2, 2013</a>
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<p>Dammit.</p>
<p>We'll have more from Mike McCarthy's press conference after practice today, but for now it appears that Matthews' hamstring issues remain a serious problem and his status for Sunday remains in doubt. If he can't go, <span>Mike Neal</span> would likely be playing much more, while <span>Andy Mulumba</span> and <span>Nate Palmer</span> would probably get some substantial snaps as well.</p>
<p>Casey Hayward's continued absence is disappointing as well, though we have grown accustomed to his absence over the past several weeks. The good news from practice is that <span>Jermichael Finley</span> and <span>John Kuhn</span> returned, while <span>Eddie Lacy</span> and <span>Morgan Burnett</span> showed no signs of any setbacks.</p>
<p><i><span>UPDATE: </span>Matthews was in fact practicing today, albeit on a limited basis. <a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/2/4795554/clay-matthews-injury-limited-participant-in-packers-wednesday-practice/in/4559561" target="_blank">Check here for that update</a> and stay tuned for updates from coach Mike McCarthy.</i></p>
<h4>More from Acme Packing Company:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/2/4794534/packers-continue-to-work-out-kick-returners?utm_source=acmepackingcompany&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Packers Continue to Work Out Kick Returners</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/lions-vs-packers-week-5/2013/10/1/4792786/lions-packers-week-5-preview-from-acme-podcasting-company?utm_source=acmepackingcompany&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Lions-Packers Early Week 5 Preview from Acme Podcasting Company</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/1/4790110/packers-johnathan-franklin-ncaa-documentary-schooled?utm_source=acmepackingcompany&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Packers' Johnathan Franklin Featured in NCAA Exposé "$chooled"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/1/4790502/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-colts-lions-titans-trending-upwards?utm_source=acmepackingcompany&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Colts, Lions, Titans Trending Upwards</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/1/4788248/josh-freeman-rumors-packers-buccaneers-trade?utm_source=acmepackingcompany&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Josh Freeman Rumors: Could the Packers be a Landing Spot for the Bucs QB?</a></li>
</ul>
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https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/10/2/4795064/clay-matthews-injury-update-packers-hamstring-not-practicingEvan "Tex" Western