Woodson, Mathews ruled out for Sunday

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Packers host Detroit on Sunday night and Green Bay will try to stay atop the NFC North without five starters.

The team has ruled out linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring), safety Charles Woodson (collarbone), receiver Jordy Nelson (hamstring), running back James Starks (knee) and defensive end C.J. Wilson (knee) for the game against its NFC North rival.

Woodson returned to practice on a limited basis this week after being sidelined since suffering his injury Oct. 21. Matthews, who leads the team with nine sacks, still hasn't been cleared to practice after he reinjured his hamstring Nov. 4.

And in the big picture, the Packers are vying for a second straight division title with a first-place showdown against the Bears looming Dec. 16 in Chicago.

Having playmakers such as Matthews and Woodson back for that game would be ideal for Green Bay, but defensive coordinator Dom Capers isn't looking that far ahead.

“I've always felt that when we get them back let's have them because every game is critical for us,” Capers said. “There's not one (game) that's more critical than another. The game Sunday night is the most critical game for us. We've got to find some way to go play our best.”

Tags: sports, nfl, football