| 1 | The Green Bay Packers' worst fears about the severity of receiver Jordy Nelson's knee injury have come true. |
| 2 | The team said Monday only that the star receiver suffered a ''significant right knee injury'' that would cost him the season. |
| 3 | Nelson, one of the top targets for NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, was injured Sunday in a preseason game at Pittsburgh. |
| 4 | ''It's difficult to lose a guy like that in a meaningless game,'' Rodgers said after the 24-19 loss to the Steelers. |
| 5 | Coach Mike McCarthy was hoping for better results from more tests on Nelson's knee in Green Bay on the team's' off day on Monday. |
| 6 | But Rodgers' somber tone after the game foreshadowed the bad news for one of the league's best offenses. |
| 7 | The Packers, one of the top contenders in the NFC, will be without a playmaker who set career highs in receptions (98) and yards receiving (1,519) in 2014. |
| 8 | Nelson had 13 touchdown catches last year and 43 over the last four seasons. |
| 9 | He and Randall Cobb formed one of the top receiving duos in the league, each catching more than 90 passes last season. |
| 10 | Nelson is also one of the most respected veterans in the locker room for his leadership and work ethic. |
| 11 | While limited during the offseason following minor hip surgery, Nelson could often be found with a play sheet in hand and offering tips to younger receivers. |
| 12 | ''Jordy Nelson is a key member of our football program both on the field and of the field, probably more so off the field,'' McCarthy said in Pittsburgh. |
| 13 | The Packers have depth at receiver, but lack experience after Cobb. |
| 14 | Promising second-year player Davante Adams, who has had a good offseason and training camp, moves up as the No. |
| 15 | 2 receiver behind Cobb. |
| 16 | Rookie Ty Montgomery, who has impressed so far in practice, moves up to third receiver. |
| 17 | Myles White, who played seven games with the Packers in 2013, has also had a good camp. |
| 18 | The 6-foot-3 Jeff Janis, a second-year player, has size but has been inconsistent. |
| 19 | Jared Abbrederis has been sidelined by a concussion. |
| 20 | ''Whether (Nelson is) here or not, guys have to step up. |
| 21 | And I'm one of those guys who has to be ready for anything. |
| 22 | An opportunity is always going to be there, no matter what else is going on,'' Rodgers said. |
| 23 | But no one has the kind of rapport that Nelson, entering his eight season, has cultivated with Rodgers. |
| 24 | He has developed a knack for making seemingly impossible catches along the sideline and catching deep balls from Rodgers. |
| 25 | It's that skill that made Nelson and Cobb such a formidable duo, with Cobb often able to get open over the middle for big third-down plays. |
| 26 | The emergence of second-year tight end Richard Rodgers, who has also stood out in camp, could help ease the loss of Nelson. |
| 27 | The Packers also have one of the best offensive lines in the league and punishing running back Eddie Lacy. |