Kevin King was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday due to his injured shoulder and his rookie season has come to an end. And now we have a good idea how serious the injury is.
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Thursday that King will have surgery on the shoulder. It's an injury King has been dealing with since last year when he was attending the University of Washington, but the injury has gotten worse recently as he missed the Week 11 game vs. the Ravens and the game last Sunday vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"He's a tough young man, he's been dealing with it for quite some time," McCarthy said during his press conference. "Speaks volume, but it got to the point where surgery was necessary."
The Packers activated cornerback Demetri Goodson from the physically unable to perform list after placing King on injured reserve Wednesday. However, McCarthy said Goodson will be a “long shot” to play against Cleveland as he remains in the "trial-return" phase with a hamstring injury.
Green Bay’s secondary also was missing veteran cornerback Davon House at Wednesday's practice after injuring his shoulder against the Buccaneers. McCarthy said House will be part of the rehab group Thursday.
Along with third-year cornerback Damarious Randall, Packers have three young reserves on the active roster in Josh Hawkins, Lenzy Pipkins and Donatello Brown. Safety Jermaine Whitehead also chipped in as a slot cornerback against Tampa Bay with Randall following DeSean Jackson.
Hawkins, who started in place of House against Minnesota in Week 6, has 21 tackles, six deflections and a forced fumble this season.
“They’re ready. They’ve been on the 53,” said McCarthy of his young defensive backs. “They’re practicing. Everybody is ready. We have no choice but to be ready. That’s how the season goes and the challenges all teams undergo with injuries. It’s Week 13. They’re ready.”
