Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews has admitted that he thinks it is unlikely that he would take part in any organised team activities this summer.
Matthews required two separate operations to fix a broken thumb which he sustained last season, which resulted in him missing six games, including two playoff clashes.
The 27-year-old told USA Today: "Obviously, OTAs will probably be one thing and I can't imagine I'll be too heavily involved with some of the stuff. I'm sure I can do stuff here and there. But yeah, we risked it once, and unfortunately, it didn't pay off.
"Quite honestly, I clubbed it up last season, and I was just a number out there, because we didn't have enough people to suit up against Philadelphia. It was by far my worst professional game, but there was a legitimate excuse."
Matthews, who averages 10 sacks per season through his five years in the NFL, stated that he expects to be back in time for training camp in July.