Green Bay - Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett could be headed for his second season-ending surgery in three years.
According to multiple sources, the initial diagnosis on his right wrist is that Barnett will need surgery to repair it.
It'sjust a matter of when that surgery will be needed. It is likely it willbe needed before the end of the season, sources said.
Thereis a possibility the surgery could be put off until after the season.Barnett will get a second opinion on Friday and then a determinationwill be made on the timeframe for surgery.
Barnett did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Barnetthurt the wrist in the first half of Sunday's game against the DetroitLions. He returned and finished the game wearing a cast on his rightwrist.
Following the game, Barnett said no fracture was revealed on the x-ray.
"If it’s not a break, I can tape it up and play," he said.
Barnett was not on the practice field Wednesday.
CoachMike McCarthy said after practice that it's "definitely a possibility"Barnett could be out for an extended period of time.
Wrist injuries can be very tricky for an athlete and could pose a long-term health threat if not taken care of properly.
GuardT.J. Lang needed surgery in the off-season for an injury that appearedto be minor initially. He had to be in a cast for several months.
IfBarnett needs immediate surgery, the Packers will have lost threestarters to injury, two on defense. Safety Morgan Burnett will haveseason-ending surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament. Runningback Ryan Grant (ACL) is on injured reserve, along with reservedefensive end Justin Harrell.
Barnett,29, would be a big loss for the defense. The eight-year veteran is oneof the vocal and emotional leaders of the unit, and makes the calls inthe huddle and adjustments before the play.
Hestarted his first game as a rookie after being a first-round pick in2003, and played in 113 of a possible 121 games in his career(including playoffs).
WhenBarnett tore the ACL in his right knee against the Minnesota Vikings onNov. 11, 2008, the Packers lost that game and five of their final sevengames.
Barnett,who is third on the team with 27 tackles, recently became the thirdPackers player to notch at least 1,000 tackles in his career since thestatistic started being kept in 1975. Barnett needs eight tackles tobreak John Anderson's franchise record of 1,020.
DesmondBishop is expected join A.J. Hawk in the starting lineup at insidelinebacker if Barnett does need season-ending surgery.
Brandon Chillar is also seeking a second opinion on his right shoulder, but McCarthy indicated he won't likely need surgery.
ThePackers could sign former Arena Football League player Maurice Simpkinsfrom the practice squad before playing the Washington ******** onSunday.