Clay Matthews Injury: Updates on Packers Star's Shoulder and Return

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was suffering from a shoulder injury following the team's Week 12 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he is ready to play. 

Continue for updates. 

---

Matthews Active vs. Texans

Sunday, Dec. 4

The Packers announced Matthews is available to play on Sunday against Houston.

---

Latest on Matthews' Practice Status

Friday, Dec. 2

The Packers announced Matthews was limited in practice on Friday and Thursday after missing Wednesday's session.

---

Matthews Struggling to Shake Injury Bug in 2016

After missing five games in 2013, Matthews saw his streak of four straight Pro Bowls end. Since then, he has gotten back to his best, playing all 32 games between 2014 and 2015 and making two trips to Hawaii.

The injury bug bit Matthews again, though, this year. He suffered hamstring and ankle injuries in September. He returned to the field in Week 5 but had issues with his hamstring again that forced him to miss Green Bay's Week 8 and 9 defeats. Against the Washington Redskins in Week 11, Matthews recorded just one tackle. However, he bounced back against the Eagles with four tackles, including one sack. 

Although Matthews' injuries have impacted his performance this year, he remains an irreplaceable member of the Packers defense.

The combination of Datone Jones and Kyler Fackrell will need to step up at outside linebacker to compensate for Matthews if he is limited moving forward. The two have played well enough in spot duty, and the Packers will need that to continue into the second half of the season.