Andrew

Quarless

Quarless is a candidate to open the season on the PUP list. “Andrew, just from a timetable standpoint, is a question mark,” McCarthy admitted. The Packers’ top three tight ends to open the year should be Jermichael Finley, Tom Crabtree, and D.J. Williams. Quarless could reenter the mix around midseason.

However, coach Mike McCarthy suggests the “timing” of Quarless’ injury means there’s a chance he won’t suit up in 2012. Quarless didn’t undergo surgery until January after blowing out his right knee on December 4. Jermichael Finley’s re-signing took away any need the Pack had to rush Quarless back.

The Packers call all knee injuries “sprains” in post-game press conferences, so the fact that McCarthy called it “significant” could mean Quarless has anything from ligament damage to an ACL or MCL tear. The injury looked gruesome when it happened. A patellar tendon injury is another possibility.

McCarthy revealed few details about his seldom-used tight end’s “significant knee sprain,” but it’s likely a torn ACL at the very least. A fifth-round pick in 2010, Quarless saw far more action in the absence of Jermichael Finley last season, catching 21 passes for 238 yards. He had just three catches this year. Judging by how serious his injury appeared when it occurred, Quarless will have a hard time being ready for Week 1 in 2012.

Quarless’ leg twisted awkwardly in kickoff coverage. Our initial reaction is that this will end up being a season-ending injury. Rookie D.J. Williams will likely be active next week, though he’s behind Tom Crabtree on the depth chart.

Quarless also suffered MCL “damage” that healed on its own. The Packers have provided no timetable for Quarless to return, though it’s likely he’ll open next season on the PUP list. Quarless had three catches in ten games this year.

The Packers have still yet to reveal the exact nature of Quarless’ injury, but it’s a torn ACL at the very least. Although he’s still only 23 years old, Quarless’ injury has him off the radar in dynasty leagues despite a promising rookie season in 2010.

Quarless blew out his right knee on December 4, but couldn’t undergo surgery until last Monday as he waited for the swelling to go down. If the Packers believe there’s a chance he can contribute later in the 2012 season, he’ll begin the year on the PUP list. Quarless was held to three catches in 10 games this season after making 21 grabs in the absence of Jermichael Finley in 2010.

Quarless tore both his ACL and MCL in early December last year. It’s a tough blow to an intriguing pass-catching prospect as he’s in danger of missing the entire year. Tom Crabtree is Jermichael Finley’s backup.

“I know it was the ACL and the MCL, I’m not sure about what else,” said Quarless, acknowledging that he’s unlikely to be ready for the start of training camp. Although Quarless had worked his way into two- and three-tight end sets prior to the injury, his career outlook is now cloudy.