Packers WR Jordy Nelson (ribs) knocked out of wild-card game

ByRob Demovsky ESPN logo
Monday, January 9, 2017

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson was knocked out of Sunday's wild-card win against the New York Giants with a rib injury in the second quarter.

Nelson took a shot to the midsection from Giants safety Leon Hall after dropping a pass along the sideline. Nelson was doubled over in front of the Packers' bench before he was finally helped up and took a seat. Shortly after that, he was taken to the locker room for further examination.

His return was initially listed as questionable, but the Packers ruled him out shortly after halftime. Nelson had one catch for 13 yards before he departed.

While Packers coach Mike McCarthy did not say whether Nelson broke any ribs, there was concern after the game that the injury might keep Nelson out of next Sunday's divisional playoff game against the Cowboys.

"I obviously have concern for Jordy," McCarthy said. "I don't have the information yet."

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said "it would be a huge loss for us" if Nelson were unable to play.

"But Geronimo [Allison] has been playing a lot for us and he's been playing effectively," Rodgers said. "Randall [Cobb] being back healthy -- you know I said this week in my press conference we're better with 18 [Cobb's jersey number]on the field. And he showed it tonight, made a ton of plays for us. He was excellent. And having him out there is going to help. But you know Geronimo is going to have to step up and play extended time if Jordy is going to be out."

Nelson caught 97 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season after missing all of 2015 because of a torn ACL in his right knee.

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