Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson has a torn ACL, the team confirmed, and will be out for the entire 2015-16 season. Nelson left Sunday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the injury. There was no contact with another player on the injury.
Nelson slipped on the turf at the same time Steelers corner Antwon Blake also slipped, and both went down. Nelson landed awkwardly on the left knee and limped off the field, where he was checked out by a trainer. After being looked at on the sideline, Nelson was taken to the locker room.
Nelson had already caught a pair of passes for 24 yards before going down with the injury on the team's opening drive. Green Bay wound up scoring on the drive with an Eddie Lacy touchdown and converted the two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers can find success with any receiver, but Nelson is his top target, seeing more than 150 passes thrown his way last season. Nelson caught 98 of those passes for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. If the initial reports are correct and Nelson has sustained a torn ACL, he'll miss the entirety of the regular season, which would be a huge hit to Green Bay's offense.
Fortunately, the Packers aren't devoid of talent at the position behind Nelson. While Nelson is definitely the top receiver on the team, Randall Cobb caught 91 of 126 passes thrown his way last season, putting up 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Behind Cobb, the Packers also have their third-leading receiver from a year ago in Davante Adams. He caught 38 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns last season, while tight ends Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers combined for just over 500 yards and five touchdowns, and both remain on the team as well. Rookie receiver Ty Montgomery could also see increased playing time. The Packers returned the core of their passing offense this offseason, but it's potentially taking a big hit with the loss of Nelson.
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