Green Bay Packers Banged Up After Loss to Washington Redskins

From the beginning of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, the Green Bay Packers seemed doomed, snake-bitten, cursed, and whatever else you can think of.

After only the second offensive snap, super-athletic tight end Jermichael Finley had to be carted off the field with a bad knee.

Soon after backup tight end Donald Lee was forced to join Finley in the locker room just minutes after scoring the game's first touchdown with a shoulder injury.

That wasn't all though as before the first-quarter whistle blew, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett had to be helped off with a sprained ankle.

The second quarter was slightly less painful for the Packers as they managed to take a 10-3 lead into the locker room and avoid any more injuries.

Green Bay tacked on a field goal in the third quarter to take a 13-3 lead. But it wasn't long before the three injured Packers had company.

After it was all said and done Sunday afternoon, NFL sack leader Clay Matthews pulled his hamstring and Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion.

The result is not only a bitter-tasting 16-13 overtime loss to the Redskins, but also a cloud of uncertainty that hovers over Green Bay's path to the Super Bowl.

With starting middle linebacker Nick Barnett out for the season with a wrist injury and running back Ryan Grant out for the year with a bum ankle, the Packers were already reaching down the depth chart. Now the coaching staff will really have to earn their paychecks.

Al Harris and Atari Bigby, two prominent faces in the secondary for the Packers, have yet to play this season, and the schedule isn't getting any easier.

The Jets, Patriots, and Vikings (twice) all remain challenging opposition.

One could have argued before the start of the season that the Packers had the best chance of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, but after Sunday's debacle in DC, Green Bay's fate will likely be in the hands of several unproven reserves.

The Packers, beaten and depleted at 3-2, will look to get back on track next week at home against the Miami Dolphins (2-2).