Clay Matthews has taken some reps at inside linebacker during training camp this summer, but the Green Bay Packers defensive star may not get many in preseason action.
The team announced Matthews was among nine players who did not travel to Pittsburgh for Sunday's second preseason game.
Matthews also missed the preseason opener at New England because of a sore knee. Coach Mike McCarthy said this past week that Matthews also has an elbow issue. Nevertheless, Matthews practiced, albeit on a somewhat limited basis, all week.
It means Matthews will have missed as many preseason games in his seven-year NFL career as he has played in. It’s the 13th time in 26 exhibition games that Matthews did not play, although not all were injury related. In some, he was held out along with other key players.
Among the others who didn't travel was left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), meaning Don Barclay, who has never played left tackle in an NFL game, will protect Aaron Rodgers' blind side. Rodgers is expected to play at least a quarter. For more on Barclay's situation, read this story from Friday.
Here's the full list of those who did not travel:
LB Clay Matthews
T David Bakhtiari
OLB Nick Perry
DT Mike Daniels
WR Javess Blue
DB Kyle Sebetic
