GREEN BAY – Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Muhammad Wilkerson spent Sunday night in a Washington-area hospital undergoing a surgery that would allow him to return to Green Bay.
McCarthy would only admit that the 28-year-old defensive lineman had a “significant” ankle injury after Packers safety Kentrell Brice collided with it from behind with 2 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the first half of the Packers’ 31-17 loss against Washington.
According to a source, Wilkerson’s injury will terminate his season.
Wilkerson was clearly in pain, and his teammates immediately gestured to the sideline for the training personnel to come out.
“That’s one of your brothers,” remarked Kenny Clark, another defensive tackle, on Sunday. “You don’t want to see any of them fail. It was very heartbreaking to witness. Excellent player. He’s been a terrific addition to the team. You don’t want to watch any of your brothers go down like that after seeing him go down like that. It’s insane.”
Third-year defensive end Dean Lowry played 24 snaps against Washington, his most of the season.
“I think I showed some great strides last year and throughout training camp,” Lowry said. “I’ve got a lot of experience, too. I’m ready for the challenge and I’m excited for this week.”
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams, a third-round pick out of Auburn in 2017, played just five snaps Sunday. He has seen the field for just 13 plays on defense thus far.
“Dean has previously started. “‘Mont’ is capable of playing,” Clark stated on Monday. “We have guys who will step up. As of right now, all four of us know what we need to do. We’ve had a lot of football practice. So everything will be fine.”
‘Beating up’ on the offensive line
The end of the first half was physically painful for the Packers as well Sunday. Not only did they go into the break against Washington down 28-10, but they essentially lost two starting offensive linemen. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga injured his back on the 64-yard touchdown throw from Aaron Rodgers to Geronimo Allison at the 2:15 mark, and as Washington was moving into position to score in the final seconds, McCarthy was being told that right guard Justin McCray’s left shoulder was going to be problematic as well.
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