Safety Nick Collins, one of the stars of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV victory, has been lost for the season to a neck injury Collins sustained in the fourth quarter of the Packers' 30-23 win in Carolina on Sunday.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy opened his Monday press conference by telling reporters he had bad news on the injury front.
"It's tough. It's something you never get used to it as a coach," McCarthy said.
Collins was injured on the sixth play of the fourth quarter, when he attempted to tackle Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart after Stewart had made a pass reception. Collins' helmet came in contact with Stewart's leg. Collins was taken from the field on a stretcher and he offered hope to players and fans when he waved his right hand as he was taken from the field. Collins spent the night in a Charlotte hospital.
"He arrived back in Green Bay at about one o'clock (on Monday)," McCarthy said. "Nick told the team about it."
McCarthy offered no further details. When asked if Collins would require surgery, McCarthy said it was "too early in the evaluation process" to answer those types of questions. Additional coverage - Sept. 19
