New York: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, a favourite target of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, will miss the upcoming season due to a right knee injury, a team spokesperson said on Monday.
Pro Bowl receiver Nelson, who caught 98 passes for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, hurt his knee while making a spinning move after a catch in Sunday’s pre-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It was determined that WR Jordy Nelson sustained a significant right knee injury in yesterday’s game at Pittsburgh. He will miss the remainder of the season,” spokesperson Jason Wahlers said in a statement.
The loss of Nelson is a damaging blow to the Packers, who have been in the play-offs the last six seasons, including a trip to last year’s NFC Final and a Super Bowl triumph after the 2010 season, and were again favored to return to the post-season.
Green Bay, however, still have potent targets for the strong armed Rodgers, who led them to a 12-4 regular season mark in 2014.
Randall Cobb, one of the game’s most electrifying pass-catchers, made 91 receptions last season for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Now expected to step up are second-year receiver Davante Adams, third-round draft pick Ty Montgomery, along with holdover Jeff Janis and tight ends Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers.
