A 31-17 loss to the Washington Redskins was bad enough for the Green Bay Packers.
Things got worse when the team learned that defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury that occurred during the game, according to reports.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday that Wilkerson was to undergo a procedure in Washington before returning to Green Bay.
“I would say it’s significant, but that’s as far as the details I have right now,” McCarthy said.
Wilkerson was carried off the field after he was leg-whipped by Packers safety Knetrell Brice in the latter stages of the second quarter.
“We’re beat up coming out of the game,” McCarthy said. “If you look at the course of these first three weeks, these guys are battling like hell.”
The 28-year-old Wilkerson had joined the Packers during the offseason. The New York Jets had cut Wilkerson just two years into a five-year, $86 million deal.
Wilkerson came to Green Bay with a one-year, $5 million contract in an attempt to re-establish himself.
“You never want to see anybody go down,” Packers defensive tackle Mike Daniels said. “You don’t want to see your worst enemy go down out there. So when you see one of your buddies go down, that makes it even worse. Mo and I are pretty close. … He sits right next to me on the friggin plane. I’m like, fudge. It’s just all bad.”
The Packers plan to sign a defensive lineman to fill the void left by Wilkerson’s absence. Wilkerson is expected to be placed on injured reserve.
That leaves Daniels and fellow defensive lineman Kenny Clark as the veterans up front. Clark is ready to take more snaps, if necessary.
“I did it before,” Clark said. “I can. If that’s what’s asked of me, I can. I’m not going to ever say no. If I had the choice, I’d be out there every play if I could. I can, if that’s what needed.”
Also injured with undetermined status for a game against the Buffalo Bills this week are right tackle Bryan Bulaga (back) and right guard Justin McCray (shoulder), McCarthy said.
Also absent are outside linebacker Nick Perry (concussion) and right guard Justin McCray (shoulder). Perry had seven tackles in before he left Sunday’s game.
Wilkerson totaled five tackles and no sacks in the first three games for the Packers. His output had dramatically declined with the Jets the past few years before his release.
Third-year pro Dean Lowry, who has played 57 snaps this season, and Montravius Adams could get more playing time on defense.
“Mo’s a really good player and we definitely are going to miss him, but we’ve got the most confidence in Dean,” Clark said. “Dean was a starter last year, played a lot of football, and he’s played a lot this year. We’re not concerned about losing Mo and having Dean come in and replace him.”
–LB Clay Matthews’ hit on Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith in the third quarter on Sunday has inflamed controversy over legal and illegal hits.
Matthews was whistled for a rougher the passer penalty on a sack. But Matthews was flagged for putting his entire boby weight on top of the Smith.
It was the third roughing the passer call against Matthews this season.
