GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy says defensive end Mike Neal will miss a “significant” amount of time after having surgery this week.
There’s still hope for Neal to return this season. McCarthy doesn’t think he’ll need to go on injured reserve.
Neal hurt his left knee during a non-contact drill in training camp. Coming off a season-ending shoulder injury last year, Neal was widely expected to play an increased role in the defense after Cullen Jenkins left as a free agent.
Jarius Wynn, a sixth-round pick in 2009 who was waived and later re-signed last season, took Neal’s place against New Orleans — although the Packers often use just two defensive linemen, B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett, in their nickel defense.
Cornerback Tramon Williams, who has a knee bruise, did not practice Wednesday. It is not clear if he’ll play at Carolina on Sunday.
