Having Nick Perry around made it easier for the Packers to shift Clay Matthews inside.
But if Perry’s not able to go this weekend, it could force them to go back to the old plan.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Perry is questionable for Sunday’s game with the Vikings because of a shoulder injury, and hasn’t practiced all week.
They could simply plug Mike Neal in, as he’s taken more snaps at outside linebacker since Matthews was moved inside two weeks ago. Or they could abandon the plan, and let Matthews go back to his natural position.
“It will adjust, no doubt,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of the plan. “Certain reps will go to different players, obviously. But we’re prepared for that. That’s really why you operate in the different personnel groups during the week, which we have. We’ll be ready to go either way.”
Matthews swears he’s not unhappy with the move, although it takes him out of his conventional pass-rushing role.