The Injury Report:

"Yes, Virginia there is a silver lining"

 

Jordy Nelson down and out

It was made official. Jordy Nelson will miss the entire season with a torn ACL suffered on the opening drive of the second pre-season game against the Steelers.

 

This will be the second time Nelson will have suffered a lost season although not quite as bad as this time. After having his breakout season in 2011 when he earned the starting job (played in all 16 games starting 9) he caught 68 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 TDs. Then in 2012 he suffered through lingering ankle and hamstring problems all season long finishing with 49 catches for 745 yards and 7 TDs.

 

Actually not only did Nelson have an off-year, but Greg Jennings was also hurt dropping from 67 catches for 945 yards and 9 TDs to a career low 36 catches for 366 yards and 4 TDs because of a groin injury he suffered before the season limiting him to only 8 games and 5 starts.

Post-Game Analysis: Steelers Stats

Up and Down:



Aaron Rodgers UP before the safety

The Packers came back to Earth against the Steelers after the opening drive. With the totally inept Don Barclay starting at left tackle with David Bakhtiari out with a minor knee injury the Packers began the game at the 20 and 10 plays later Eddie Lacy scored easily from seven yards out. behind clear out blocks by Josh Sitton and the aforementioned Barclay and a crushing lead block by John Kuhn. James Starks then made it 8-0 on a two-yard run that was just as easy behind the blocking of center Corey Linsley and right guard T.J. Lang.

 

Lacy's touchdown accomplished two things I've been worried about for a couple seasons now - scoring inside the red zone and scoring or getting a first down needing two or less yards. Except for losing wide receiver Jordy Nelson on a freak knee injury the opening drive was as good as it gets.

Post-Game Instant Analysis: The second pre-season game at the Steelers

The Good, The Bad and The UGLY

 

The Good:

The first string offense (minus David Bakhtiari at left tackle) looked very good taking the ball 80 yards in 10 plays on the opening drive of the game to a score. The good elements of the drive were not only good passing by Aaron Rodgers, but excellent running by Eddie Lacy, including a touchdown run from the seven. Then surprise, surprise James Starks converts the two-point conversion on the ground for only the second time since 2009.

The Bad:

Aaron Rodgers about to be sacked for a Safety

Don Barclay at left tackle was a disaster. He gave up a sack in the end zone for a safety and gave up another sack as well as many shaky runs in between with the first string. Barclay stayed in the game with the second string until there was 1:40 left in the third quarter and wasn't any better until his final series against the third stringers.