Green Bay Packers: 10 Players Who Must Stay Healthy in 2011

It has often been said that injuries are a part of football and they are. They can derail seasons and drop division champs to the bottom of the conference in a matter of seconds.

Take a look at the Colts. It looks like Peyton Manning won't play this year and you're only kidding yourself if you believe they can win without their future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Thankfully, when the horrid news arrived that Nick Collins had been shipped to the IR, it didn't mean that the Packers weren't still Super Bowl favorites, but it sure was a devastating loss.

Yes, they did win it all with 16 players on the injured reserve in 2010, but here are 10 players that I believe must stay healthy in 2011 if Green Bay is to accomplish a repeat.

Sources: Packers.com, ESPN.com

10. Tim Masthay

The Packers have been through a plethora of punters in the past and they finally seemed to be satisfied with Tim Masthay.

While his position is often overlooked, he has been consistently effective at providing opponents with poor field position.

It wouldn't be the end of the Pack's repeat hopes if Masthay went down, of course, but the painful process of finding a solid punter would start all over again.

9. Erik Walden

Erik Walden is probably the least known player on the Packers' defense, but since he stepped in at outside linebacker last season, he's fulfilled all expectations.

Frank Zombo appeared to have won the starting job in training camp, but he'll be out for awhile due to a preseason injury.

There are promising rookies waiting behind Zombo and Walden such as Vic So'oto, who is also dealing with injury, but the Pack are thin opposite of Clay Matthews and can't afford any more injuries.

8. Ryan Pickett

Pickett has performed at a high level thus far in 2011 for the Packers defensive line which lost Cullen Jenkins to the Eagles during free agency.

His big body is a big reason why they've been so good at stopping the run and if he were to get hurt, his presence would surely be missed.

7. Morgan Burnett

The loss of Nick Collins for the year makes Morgan Burnett even more valuable to Green Bay's secondary.

Burnett missed the majority of 2010 because of injury, but in three games this season he has three picks, a sack and a forced fumble.

The Packers certainly can't afford to lose both their safeties, especially with the massive amounts of passing yards they've been allowing.

6. A.J. Hawk

A,J. Hawk was re-signed for a reason. He isn't a playmaker or pass rusher like Clay Matthews, but he is a veteran leader and a solid linebacker.

With over 111 tackles last season, Hawk must stay healthy if his team wants to return to the Super Bowl.

His backups, Robert Francois and D.J. Smith, are inexperienced and unproven.

5. B.J. Raji

It's safe to say that Dom Capers' crafty 3-4 defense would probably collapse if B.J. Raji couldn't stay healthy.

The 337-pound nose tackle is the irreplaceable anchor of the Pack's defensive line and he continues to improve. After three games this season, Raji has recorded seven tackles and a sack.

His backup, Howard Green, is a big boy as well, but he just can't contain the run or get to the quarterback as well as B.J.

4. Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews may only have 12 tackles and a single sack so far this season, but when it comes to one of the most relentless pass rushers in the league, statistics mean nothing.

When Matthews is sent after the quarterback, he usually draws an extra blocker or two and his presence is always felt by the opposing offense.

Even if he hasn't put up big numbers just yet, the rest of the Packers defense has benefited enormously from him being on the field and his loss would be colossal.

3. Charles Woodson

Woodson is just as important to the Packers in 2011 as he was when he won the Defensive Player of the Year award two seasons ago.

An injury wouldn't hinder his leadership abilities as he proved during the 2010 Super Bowl run, but the defense would definitely suffer without his playmaking presence and veteran experience on the field.

With Nick Collins gone for the season, Woodson is vital to the secondary and must stay healthy to improve on his two picks in three games thus far.

2. Josh Sitton

Josh Sitton is one of the best guards in the NFL and the best player on the Pack's offensive line. He must stay healthy to keep Aaron Rodgers healthy.

His partner on the right side of the line, Bryan Bulaga, is dealing with minor injuries and Marshall Newhouse filled in effectively for him. However, if Sitton were to go down as well, it could be very dangerous for the Packers' pass protection.

1. Aaron Rodgers

If every other player on this list was immediately sent to the IR, there would still be a strong possibility that Aaron Rodgers could carry his team to the playoffs single-handedly. He's been that good.

Rodgers leads the league with a 120.9 passer rating after three weeks of nearly flawless play and he's shown no signs of slowing down.

One of the Packers main goals in 2011 is to keep their MVP upright because if they don't, they know all the talks of a dynasty or even a repeat would instantaneously turn to dust.