Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk is recovering from surgery.
Hawk had bone spurs removed from his ankle after the Packers’ NFC Championship Game loss to the Seahawks, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports. Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery.
Although Hawk did not miss any games with the injury and claimed he was healthy, Hawk did see his snap count reduced over the course of the season amid talk that he was playing in pain. Hawk got just 17 defensive snaps in the NFC Championship Game, even though the Packers’ defense was on the field for 71 plays.
Considering his age (31), the injury, the fact that he is scheduled to make $3.5 million this season and coach Mike McCarthy’s statement this week that inside linebacker is a team need in the draft, it’s possible that Hawk could be in danger of getting cut before the regular season starts. He’ll have to be fully healthy by the summer or else his days in Green Bay could be done.