When Packers defensive end Jerel Worthy was shut down because of a knee injury at the end of the regular season, the diagnosis was that he had a bone bruise.
It turned out to be a more serious injury. Worthy tore his ACL and had reconstructive surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Florida last week. Worthy was injured in the fourth quarter of Week 17, timing that could wind up seriously impacting his chances of being ready for the 2013 season.
Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel gives Worthy “long odds” of playing next season as a result of the surgery. While Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was able to make a quick return to the field this season, he remains an exception to the normally long rehabilitation process that players face after tearing their ACLs. At the very least, starting the year on the PUP list seems like a real possibility for Worthy so the Packers will likely have to make offseason plans as if he won’t be in the picture.
Worthy, the 51st overall pick in the 2012 draft, finished his rookie year with 2.5 sacks in 443 snaps as part of Green Bay’s rotation on the defensive line.