GREEN BAY — Mike McCarthy acknowledged that Clay Matthews underwent "surgery," but the Green Bay Packers coach didn't offer any specifics about his four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker's broken thumb.

But besides giving a vague timeline — "Clay Matthews will be (out) multiple weeks," was all he'd say there — McCarthy also made an interesting point: "It's a medical decision to hold him this long."

McCarthy was asked if Matthews had told coaches and the medical staff that he wanted to play through the injury, by wearing a club cast to protect it.

"I think if Clay Matthews had his preference he'd be playing in this week's game," McCarthy said. "But, like I said, every injury is different and this is clearly a medical decision as far as the path that he has to go and what occurred in the surgery."

With Matthews sidelined, the Packers will start Mike Neal and Nick Perry at outside linebacker until Matthews returns. He figures to miss, at minimum, the next four games, including Sunday at Baltimore. When he does return, McCarthy said Matthews will have to wear a cast to protect his still-healing thumb.

"Clay Matthews is our best player on defense. But this is pro football," McCarthy said. "We've been down this road before. It's an excellent opportunity for others to step up and make plays and be a part of packages as we get ready for an excellent Baltimore Raven football team."

Jason Wilde  wrote: