Injured Nelson Aims To Get Young Packers WRs Up To Speed
GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The shock of being out of the year has already worn off for Jordy Nelson.
One of the first things to cross Nelson's mind upon returning to Lambeau Field on Tuesday was to get into the classroom to help get the younger receivers up to speed at training camp.
There's a huge void to fill in the Packers' potent offense with Nelson sidelined for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee on Sunday during a preseason game in Pittsburgh.
"They're going to be running the same plays we've always ran so (there are) little tidbits I can give them. I hope it would that it wouldn't be any different from than when I was playing," Nelson said. "I'd still be trying to coach them up as much."
It would be so much easier for the Packers if MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers' top receiving target was around to torment secondaries again. Nelson led the highest-scoring team in the league with 98 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago.
"I think first off you have to recognize the fact that Jordy is, he is what you look for as far as a Green Bay Packer," coach Mike McCarthy said. "When you have the opportunity to build a program, a championship program, and you talk about what you want your players to look like, act like, he's a prime example of that."
Nelson walked into the locker room on a pair of crutches, though he was moving relatively well for someone with a serious injury. Nelson said doctors were waiting for swelling in the knee to go down before scheduling surgery.
Nelson sounded like a man at peace with his predicament.
He was hurt after jumping to catch a short pass from Rodgers at Heinz Field. He landed first on his left foot before coming down on the right foot and turning to go upfield. He didn't get hit.
There wasn't much pain, Nelson said.
"That's why I just ran off the field, didn't think it was anything serious and obviously I was told different," he said.
By halftime, Nelson said he had an idea that his season might be done, even though McCarthy held out hope that more tests in Green Bay might yield a more optimistic diagnosis.
"It's crazy how you can make that move a gazillion times — like I said over 18 years of playing football and probably more harsher moves than that — and be fine and take a hit and be fine," Nelson said. "It's the way it works out. Why? We don't know. But we'll move forward and be back next year."
For now, the focus shifts to young receivers who will need to step up behind Randall Cobb and promising second-year receiver Davante Adams. Second-year players Myles White and Jeff Janis have limited experience, and rookie Ty Montgomery has had a promising training camp.
"Guys have just got to step up. Plain and simple. Nothing else to be said. It just has to be done," said Montgomery. Until Nelson's injury, Montgomery seemed to have a hold on the No. 4 receiver slot.
This will be a critical week for those younger receivers to develop the rapport and earn the trust that Rodgers had with Nelson, who was going into his eighth year in the league. The Packers host their first preseason game of the season on Saturday.
White, Janis and Montgomery are "going to play even more football come Saturday night against Philadelphia," McCarthy said. "So yeah, I think it's loud and clear the opportunity that's in front of them."
Notes: Nelson said he didn't think the minor offseason surgery on his left hip had any bearing on his right knee injury. "I think just talking to the doc about how it all works out, it's honestly bad timing," he said. ... G T.J. Lang and backup QB Scott Tolzien were each going through concussion protocols after getting hurt against the Steelers. ... LT David Bakhtiari (knee) was improving, McCarthy said, though whether he plays on Saturday will depend on if and when he returns to the practice field. ... DL Mike Daniels (ankle) returned to practice.
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