Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett will have surgery on his injured right wrist Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday.
Barnett injured the wrist in the Packers' 28-26 victory over the Detroit Lions on Oct. 3.
By electing to have surgery this week, Barnett could potentially return in eight weeks, if his wrist heals correctly, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Packers would be required to hold a roster spot for Barnett if they follow this course of action.
"I really can't speculate if we'll hold on to one player versus another," McCarthy said. "Anytime you deal with injuries -- when you get to the six-to-eight week mark -- those are tough decisions to make."
NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported last week that the team is preparing to move forward without Barnett for the rest of the year.
McCarthy also announced that tight end Jermichael Finley, who injured his knee in the Packers' 16-13 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday, will have a minor knee scope on Tuesday. He is expected to be out three weeks.
Tight end Donald Lee, who suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday, could miss a couple of weeks, according to McCarthy.
Concussed Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will miss practice time this week. "The concussion did occur on the last play," McCarthy said. "It was fairly evident based on the communication ... just the way (Rodgers) acted. ... We'll definitely take the proper time to see that he recovers."
Linebacker Clay Matthews, who suffered a hamstring strain in the game, had a positive meeting with doctors. The injury is not considered serious, according to McCarthy.