In a move that has been anticipated throughout the week, the Packers’ Jordy Nelson has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. Nelson, Green Bay’s leading receiver in 2016, suffered fractured ribs last week in the Packers’ win over the New York Giants.
After missing all of 2015 with an ACL tear, Nelson bounced back with a huge year. He had 97 catches for 1257 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season.
Nelson’s absence will place more burden on Davante Adams and Randall Cobb against Dallas. Adam had a strong season also with 997 yards and 12 touchdowns on 75 catches. Cobb, who missed some time during the regular season, showed up big last week with five catches for 116 yards and three scores.
Not having to face Nelson will help the Cowboys’ secondary as Morris Claiborne comes back from injury. It may allow Dallas to ease Claiborne back as opposed to relying on him to try and contain Aaron Rodgers’ favorite weapon.
That said, Rodgers has proven he can do big things even without his top receivers. Nelson’s absence may help Dallas’ cause, but the Packers are still a tremendous threat this Sunday.
