GREEN BAY, Wis. -- No one appeared more excited than Jordy Nelson to go through warmups at Lambeau Field before Thursday's 20-12 preseason win over the Oakland Raiders.
Although the Green Bay Packers listed Nelson on the "will not dress" list for the game, that didn't stop him from working out in the public eye for the first time since he tore the ACL in his right knee nearly a year ago.
Nelson came out with the rest of his teammates about 70 minutes before kickoff and had a bounce in his step. One day after being activated off the physically unable to perform list, Nelson was in full pads, running routes and even catching passes in an 11-on-11 session that's part of the Packers' regular pregame warmup routine. At one point, he was jumping in place while waiting for his turn in a drill.
Asked after the game what it was like to go through warmups, Nelson said, "It's another step in the right direction. It's another step to be ready for Jacksonville. We'll just continue to work that way. Our goal is Week 1. We're right where we want to be and need to be. We've got time to get there."
Nelson tore the ACL in his right knee in a preseason game last year on Aug. 23. He then experienced what he called "a hiccup" with his left knee while working out this summer. He's expected to go through his first full practice Saturday. The Packers are off Friday.