Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was limited in practice on Wednesday and coach Mike McCarthy said he hoped that Matthews would do more on Thursday.
McCarthy got what he wanted. Matthews was a full participant in practice on Thursday as he makes his way back from a hamstring injury that knocked him out of a loss to the Bengals when the Packers last played in Week Three.
“He looked good today. He definitely took a step. We’ll see how he is tomorrow,” McCarthy said, via Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin.
Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel adds that Matthews said after Thursday’s practice that he plans to play on Sunday. If he practices Friday, that plan will almost certainly become a reality.
Cornerback Casey Hayward won’t be as he’s already been ruled out with his own hamstring injury, but he dressed for practice as a limited participant on Thursday so it may not be long before he’s ready to rejoin Matthews on the defense.