Muhammad Wilkerson spent Sunday night in a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area for a procedure that would let him come back to Green Bay, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy revealed on Monday.
With 2 minutes, 10 seconds left in the first half of the Packers’ 31-17 loss against Washington, Packers safety Kentrell Brice fell into the defensive lineman’s left ankle from behind. McCarthy would only admit that the 28-year-old defensive tackle had a “significant” injury to it.
A source affirmed that Wilkerson’s injury will finish the season.
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The moment Wilkerson’s injury occurred, his teammates quickly gestured to the sidelines for the medical professionals to enter. Wilkerson was clearly in pain.
Kenny Clark, a fellow defensive tackle, remarked, “That’s one of your brothers,” on Sunday. “You don’t want to witness any of them fall. Just seeing it made me sad. Superb athlete. His behavior in the locker room has been excellent. You don’t want to see any of your brothers suffer the same fate as you did after watching him fall. It’s absurd.
Dean Lowry, a third-year defensive end, participated in his most season-high 24 snaps versus Washington.
“I think I showed some great strides last year and throughout training camp,” Lowry stated. “I have a lot of experience as well. I’m eager for this week and prepared for the challenge.
Only five snaps were played by defensive tackle Montravius Adams, an Auburn product who was selected in the third round in 2017. On defense, he has only been on the field for 13 plays so far.
Dean has prior experience as a starter. “Mont” is a good player,” Clark noted on Monday. “We have men who will take the lead. As of right now, we four are aware of what needs to be done. Football has been played a lot by us. So, everything will be OK.
The Packers’ physical discomfort continued into the first half’s closing minutes on Sunday. Not only did they trail Washington 28-10 at halftime, but they also effectively lost both of their starting offensive lineman. When Aaron Rodgers threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Geronimo Allison at the 2:15 mark, right tackle Bryan Bulaga hurt his back. As Washington moved into position to score in the final seconds, right guard Justin McCray’s left shoulder began to bother him as well.
Neither participant finished the game.
Throughout the first part of the season, McCray claimed he has been nursing a shoulder ailment, but Sunday was too painful to continue. He will go through more examinations.
“Really, until we start game planning and until (head athletic trainer) Bryan (Engel) gives us some information tomorrow into Wednesday, we’re beat up coming out of the game,” McCarthy stated. “These men are fighting like crazy over the course of these first three weeks, if you look at it. We’ll have to wait and see how things work out. However, I really can’t tell you how we’re going to line up until maybe Wednesday or Thursday. It will probably be a part of our game strategy.
Concussion protocol for Perry
With 2:13 remained in the game, starting outside linebacker Nick Perry left after making a tackle on Washington running back Kapri Bibbs. He left the field on his own, but his helmet was quickly taken away from him before he could even enter the Packers’ locker room. Perry, according to McCarthy, is undergoing a concussion protocol.
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