Packers LB Clay Matthews ruled out of wild-card game

In week 1 against the 49ers, Matthews started a brawl after he tackled Kaepernick late out of bounds. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews will miss this Sunday's wild-card game against the San Francisco 49ers, Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced.

Matthews originally injured his thumb in Week 5 against the Lions and had surgery shortly after. He missed the following four Packers game while he recovered from the surgery. Matthews then re-injured his thumb Week 16 against the Steelers, and missed the regular season finale against the Bears last week.

The Packers are 4-1 without Matthews. Despite playing just 11 games this season, Matthews leads the team in sacks with 7.5.

McCarthy did not provide a timeline for when Matthews would be able to play, or if he would be able to make a playoff appearance at all. From ESPNWisconsin.com:

"I really don't have a feel for Clay as far as where he is. I really haven't even seen him to talk to him," McCarthy said. "You're always cautious with players after surgery. Right now he's out for this week and that's really what we're focused on."