The Green Bay Packers reportedly got dealt another injury blow on Friday. The Journal Sentinel is reporting that safety Sean Richardson has a neck injury that will likely end his season and possibly his career.
The injury is said to be similar to the one Richardson suffered in 2012. That injury — a herniated disk — required spinal fusion surgery and cost Richardson almost a full year.
This latest herniation is said to be below the original fusion.
Richardson practiced on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday, when the injury was apparently discovered. He was ruled out for Sunday’s game, on Friday.
The Packers have been extremely cautious with neck injuries and considering this is Richardson’s second, that puts his future in serious doubt.
In recent seasons, the Packers refused to clear tight end Jermichael Finley and safety Nick Collins when they had similar, but higher spinal injuries.
Although Richardson is known primarily as a special teams standout, the Packers have also been working him in on defense of late. So, in the immediate future, they find themselves awfully thin at safety.
Morgan Burnett has played in only one game this season and is questionable for Sunday. It looks as if he won’t play again, leaving the Packers with just Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Micah Hyde and Chris Banjo at the back end of their defense.
We’ll cross our fingers this week, but expect the Packers to make a roster move next week.