Packers Might Face Vikings Without Nelson, Worthy & More NFC North News

The Green Bay Packers continue to get healthy with the likely return of Charles Woodson and Randall Cobb this week, but they may still face the Vikings short a few key players.

According to Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin, the status of both Jordy Nelson and Jerel Worthy are very much up in the air.

Both players suffered knee injuries last week—Worthy's being bad enough to necessitate removal from the field by a cart—and both injuries could mean the Packers are without their services this weekend.

Now, Nelson went back on the field in part because Jarrett Boykin went down and they needed him, so we know he could play Sunday—though whether he did further damage to his leg by doing so is a question.

Cobb's return—which he calls 50/50, though the team is more confident—mitigates losing Nelson. We've seen the offense function without him before and it works pretty well.

Worthy is a loss which might not seem big—his stats aren't exactly beautiful—but he had been improving and has been a bigger factor the last few games.

Neither is the end of the Packers' chances in this game. Neither will be the reason they lose if they happen to lose.

But it's been a season of bruises and bangs for the Packers, and it appears that if they are going to win the Super Bowl, they might have to do it on crutches.

On to the rest of the NFC North.

Chicago Bears

The Tribune's Dan Pompei says the key for a new head coach is to find a way to get more out of Jay Cutler. 

Also in the Tribune, Brad Biggs says GM Phil Emery was ready to talk offensive line in yesterday's press conference. 

Detroit Lions

Justin Rogers of MLive.com says the Lions would be happy to coach the Senior Bowl.

Concussions were definitely a story for the Lions this year and might be again as safety Amari Spievey suffered his fourth in the last three seasons, according to the Detroit News' Josh Katzenstein.

Green Bay Packers

Rob Demovsky of the Press-Gazette says that while Charles Woodson will be back, it's not clear how the Packers will use him. 

CheeseheadTV.com's Zach Kruse takes a look at how playing outdoors could affect the outcome on Saturday. 

Minnesota Vikings

Tom Pelissero (or is it Tom Pesso?) of 1500 ESPN breaks down the tape of the Vikings victory over the Packers.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert also took a look at how home-field advantage at Lambeau might play out in the Vikes-Pack rematch.

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