Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
DE PERE, Wis. — Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews has often played through injuries during his career. Of course, rarely do injured players participate in a preseason game, so it’s possible Matthews will find himself on the sideline Sunday when the Packers travel to Pittsburgh for their second game of the summer.
Matthews was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of elbow soreness. The Packers didn’t practice Friday, so it’s uncertain whether Matthews will be cleared to play Sunday. The all-star didn’t play in the first preseason game at New England last week because of knee soreness.
In other injury-related news:
–Left tackle David Bakhtiari likely won’t play Sunday. Bakhtiari has been sidelined with knee soreness after making the start in the Packers’ win over the Patriots. Don Barclay worked at left tackle during practice this week and would seem the likely choice to start there against the Steelers.
–Defensive lineman Mike Daniels hasn’t returned from an ankle injury that kept him from playing in the preseason opener at New England. The lingering injury likely will keep the valuable starter from playing Sunday at Pittsburgh, too.
–Strong safety Morgan Burnett didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday because of what head coach Mike McCarthy said was “a personal matter.” With the Packers not practicing Friday and Burnett unavailable in the locker room, it’s unclear whether the veteran starter will play Sunday.
–Outside linebacker Nick Perry returned to practice Wednesday and might be on track to make his belated game debut Sunday. Perry, a former first-round draft pick, had been sidelined since early in training camp with a groin injury.
–Defensive tackle Letroy Guion returned to practice Wednesday after a lengthy stint on the sideline in training camp because of a hamstring injury. It’s unknown if the returning starter will play Sunday.
–Cornerback Casey Hayward missed a day of practice earlier in the week because of a quadriceps injury. Hayward, though, was back on the field and should be ready for Sunday’s game. Hayward is penciled in as the starter opposite Sam Shields.
–Rookie cornerback Damarious Randall resumed practicing this week after battling a nagging groin injury that kept him from playing against New England.
