Clay Matthews is impressed by the young Vikings runners. (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who has been dealing with a groin injury, is probable for Thursday night’s visit from the Minnesota Vikings.
He took part in practice on a part time basis Tuesday and Wednesday after taking part in 60 percent of the defensive plays in the Packers’ 38-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Of course Matthews says he is certain he will play and start against Minnesota. However, he is less sure of exactly who the running backs are for the Vikings now that Adrian Peterson is not playing.
Last Sunday, Minnesota’s Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata combined for 241 yards rushing against the Atlanta Falcons, which Matthews definitely saw in game tapes.
“We haven’t heard much as far as who their running backs are for years now, outside of Adrian Peterson,” Matthews said. “But now they’ve got … they’ve got that one guy who can run really hard, ran for over 100 yards. And the little guy, he was really quick, too.”
The hard runner would be McKinnon, the quick little guy is Asiata and, despite being unable to recite their names, Matthews is respectful of their abilities.
“They put up some running yards last week, and that’s what I mean,” he said. “You think with the drop-off of A.P., or that there would be a drop-off, but there really isn’t. We’re going to have our hands full, especially with what we put on film last week, this past weekend. They’ve got to be coming in here thinking that they’re going to run it on us. It’s just a great opportunity for us to showcase that that’s not the case.”
The Packers had some offensive success of their own last weekend, resulting in quarterback Aaron Rodgers being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Rodgers completed 22 of 28 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions for a near-perfect passer rating of 151.2.
He also surpassed 25,000 passing yards for his career in the game, doing so with the fewest pass attempts (3,065) in NFL history.
On the injury front, wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (groin) will miss his second consecutive game and rookie Davante Adams will continue to work as the team’s No. 3 wideout behind Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb with Boykin sidelined.
Right guard T.J. Lang was added to the injury report Wednesday with a non-injury-related issue. Lang is probable against Minnesota and expected to make his customary start.
NOTES: OL/DE Mike Neal was added to the injury report Wednesday with a hip injury that kept him from participating in the team’s light workout. … ILB Brad Jones (quad) may resume playing Thursday night after missing three games. … DT Josh Boyd (knee) is doubtful. … ILB Sam Barrington (hamstring) is doubtful.
