The Green Bay Packers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 on Sunday. Their star wide receiver, Jordy Nelson, caught a pass in the first quarter and fell down without being touched. He left the game and it was feared he tore his ACL. An MRI on Monday confirmed he did and he will be out for the year. According to ESPN, the Packers said in a statement, “It was determined that WR Jordy Nelson sustained a significant right knee injury in yesterday’s game at Pittsburgh. He will miss the remainder of the season.” Some NFL fans and media members want the NFL preseason cut because a star player could get hurt. The problem is the injury he sustained is one that might happen in practice. What will this mean for the Green Bay Packers this season?
Nelson was drafted by the Packers in the 2nd round of the 2008 NFL draft. His entire career he caught critical passes and scored touchdowns. He has a total of 6,109 yards, 49 touchdowns, and three seasons of 1,000+ yards receiving. Nelson had his best season last year. He recorded 98 receptions, 1,519 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Nelson was second in touchdown receptions, only Dez Bryant had more with 16. He helped the Green Bay Packers advance all the way to the NFC Championship game where they lost to the Seattle Seahawks 28-22.
Nelson is one of the best wide receivers in the game. The Packers are lucky to have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. He likes to spread the ball around to his receivers. His first target has always been Nelson because he rarely drops the ball. With Nelson out, Rodgers will need to look for other wide receivers. According to ESPN, Rodgers said, “It’s difficult to lose a guy like that in a meaningless game.”
The Green Bay Packers have other talented wide receivers. Rodgers will have to rely on Randall Cobb. Cobb becomes the number one wide receiver. He will need to take a larger role in the offense so that the Packers won’t miss Nelson. Last year Cobb had 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those numbers have to be even better for the Packers.
Davante Adams will take Nelson’s spot on the depth chart. Adams isn’t a bad target with 446 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. He is not Nelson but he must find ways to get open so Rodgers can throw him the ball.
The Packers are still a talented team. They can go far without Jordy Nelson. He will be missed in the passing game because he generates a lot of coverage from the opponents’ defense which assists the other wide receivers to be able to get open. It’s a loss that they will recover from.
Who will have to step up for the Packers?
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