Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson will have to wait—likely until the start of training camp—to get back on the field.
Despite the start of OTAs on Monday, the Packers have no plans to rush back their Pro Bowl receiver, who missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL.
“It’s still just a progression. Like I said when we came back [on April 18], OTAs was going to be up for debate. And there’s a lot more higher-ups than me [who won the debate],” Nelson said, via ESPN’s Jason Wilde. “Obviously, they’re being smart and they’re probably doing the right thing. But you always push the limit.”
Nelson did some work on the side during the public portion of Tuesday’s practice, but the Packers continue to hold him out of live, 11-on-11 drills.
“We don’t have to push it too much — we’re still in May,” Nelson said. “Our goal is obviously in September.”
The Packers struggled mightily on offense in 2015 without Nelson, who injured his right knee during a preseason game in August. Green Bay’s offense finished 25th in passing yards and 15th in points scored, despite quarterback Aaron Rodgers starting all 16 games. Replacing Nelson’s production as the top receiver—which included 98 catches, 1,514 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014—was often times too much for the Packers to handle.
Now, only a setback in his recovery could keep Nelson from returning at 100 percent in 2016. Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Packers are making sure all precautions are taken this early in the offseason.
“He’s right on schedule, I would say, and he’s sticking to the plan,” McCarthy said. “I think he has to be smart in these times and just make sure we go about it the right way.”
