Packers OT Chad Clifton to start in playoffs - NFL News
The Green Bay Packers are ready to bring back injured offensive tackle Chad Clifton into the first team squad for the postseason after Clifton recovered from his hamstring injury sustained early in the season.
Packers Coach Mike McCarthy announced the decision on Monday in his press conference. The Coach specifically mentioned the experience and calm the left tackle brings to the Packers dressing room and praised the player’s abilities on the field.
"Experience, and he's a good player," McCarthy said. "Chad Clifton is a d**n good player."
McCarthy also praised stand in left tackle Marshall Newhouse but stated that since Clifton is the starter he will take over the duties.
"Marshall's done an excellent job," McCarthy said. "We've won a lot of games with Marshall Newhouse. But Chad Clifton is the starter. There's won't be any gray area for that."
The Packers lost Clifton to a hamstring injury after week 5 of the regular season and failed to play another game until last week. Coach Mike McCarthy started the twelve year veteran against Detroit Lions to check his match fitness. Clifton started off poorly
but grew into the game as he shook off the rustiness that has settled in his game after the long layoff.
Clifton was pulled after the first quarter against the Lions. Mike McCarthy was impressed enough with the tackles performance but that he still has to work on some aspects of his game to return back to his pre-injury form.
"He's going to be happy with the film," McCarthy said. "There's some things he needs to work on, just some specifics as far as footwork and the injury, the effects of what he still has to work on. Having two full weeks of preparation, I'm confident he'll
get where he needs to be."
The Packers went on to win the game 45-41 even though they were resting some of their key starters against a full strength Detroit Lions side.
Clifton’s injury did nothing to hamper the Packers season as they kept on winning game after game to continue their long unbeaten run which finally ended at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in week 14.
The Packers are 15-1 this season and are the National Football Conference North Champions. The franchise has played brilliantly this season defeating everyone on the way to securing a first seed playoffs spot.
The Packers have already qualified for the playoffs division round and will be playing their first game at home on January 15th on Sunday.
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