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Packers' Clay Matthews out, but Jordy Nelson expected to return vs. LionsNov 14, 2012 (Detroit Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Green Bay Packers won't have sack leader Clay Matthews for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, but wide receiver Jordy Nelson should be back on the field. "I thought Jordy looked like his normal self today in practice so I'm hopeful that we're past his ankle injury," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in a teleconference with Detroit reporters today. Nelson leads the Packers with 532 yards receiving on 40 catches. He's taken over as Green Bay's No. 1 receiver with Greg Jennings missing most of the year with a groin injury. Matthews is tied for fourth in the league with nine sacks. He pulled his hamstring before the bye in Green Bay's 31-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals. "I don't think you can ever measure what Clay Matthews means to your football team," McCarthy said. "He's clearly one of the best defensive players in the game in my opinion. He's a dynamic player, he's someone that we try to do a lot with. He gives us excellent flexibility schematically. He has an outstanding skill set and is an impact player. We're more focused on utilizing the players that are available for this week." The Packers also will be without starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga (hip) and cornerback Charles Woodson (collar bone) Sunday. T.J. Lang (Brother Rice, Eastern Michigan) will start in place of Bulaga, who went on season-ending injured reserve Monday. Contact Dave Birkett: 313-222-2037 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. ___ (c)2012 the Detroit Free Press Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |