Packers' Nick Collins lost for season

It's not a matter of whether Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins will be ready for Da Bearz this coming Sunday, now it's a matter of having him ready for next season. That's if he will be back next season. Yes, that's right. The Packers have lost Collins for the remainder of the 2011 season due to the neck injury he sustained in yesterday's game against the Panthers; he was carted off the field strapped to a board.

Head coach Mike McCarthy told the media this afternoon that "it's too early" to say whether Collins will need surgery or, for that matter, if the injury could jeopardize Collins' career. Obviously, the injury was far more serious than first thought. Although Collins had full movement of his limbs -- even giving a thumbs up to the crowd while leaving the field -- doctors must have seen something that gave them enough pause to shut Collins down for this season.

Collins is a Pro Bowl player and his presence will be missed. Charlie Peprah, who wound up starting last season in the place of Morgan Burnett when he went down for the year, will take Collins' place.

Our prayers are with you, Nick, and here's to the hope that you make a full recovery and we see you back on the field for the Pack next season.