NFL sacks leader Clay Matthews, who missed the Green Bay Packers' previous game because of a left hamstring injury, will return for Sunday's meeting with the Minnesota Vikings, a team source told NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche on Tuesday.
The return of Matthews, who has 8.5 sacks in five games this season, is even more important given that backup linebacker Brady Poppinga sustained a knee injury during Sunday's overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins and will require arthroscopic surgery.
In addition to Matthews, Green Bay's decimated defense could have several more reinforcements for the Vikings game.
The Packers re-acquired safety Anthony Smith in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, and cornerback Al Harris (knee) and safety Atari Bigby (ankle) are eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list this week.
Other injured defenders include defensive linemen Ryan Pickett and Mike Neal and linebacker Brandon Chillar.