Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Mike McCarthy were adamant Wednesday that Nelson remains a key part of the team's nucleus, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

After returning for the 2016 season after missing the previous campaign while recovering from a torn ACL, Nelson wasn't the downfield threat he had been in his prime years, but was nonetheless supremely impressive in finishing with 97 receptions for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns. That showing was expected to make Nelson a safe early-round fantasy selection in 2017, but the wideout instead saw his numbers crash in dramatic fashion, averaging a career-worst 9.1 yards per reception while scoring just six touchdowns, his lowest total in any season since 2010. While the absence of franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) for the bulk of 10 games surely factored into the downturn in productivity, Nelson still didn't look like his usual self in the six contests Rodgers completed, reeling in 22 of 33 targets for 258 yards, with only three receptions of 20-plus yards. It appears the Packers aren't planning to limit Nelson's role or ask him to take a pay cut as he heads into his age-33 campaign, but his diminished explosiveness means that fantasy players shouldn't necessarily expect a dramatic bounceback from the receiver in 2018 even with a healthy Rodgers back in the fold.

Nelson (shoulder) may be asked to take a pay cut or even released in the offseason, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson had six touchdowns in the five games he and Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) both started and finished this season, but the veteran wideout otherwise was held out of the end zone completely while failing to top 35 yards in a game after Week 6. Brett Hundley's poor play obviously gets some of the blame, but it's impossible to completely absolve Nelson when considering that Davante Adams (concussion) continued to produce at a high level. Friday's announcement of a long-term extension for Adams brings Nelson's situation to the forefront, with the 32-year-old wideout entering the final season of his own contract, scheduled for a $9.25 million base salary in 2018. Even if he sticks around, Nelson is unlikely to regain his long-time standing as the No. 1 target in the Green Bay passing game, given that Adams has proven to be the superior player at this point in their respective careers. Slot receiver Randall Cobb also will be entering the final year of his contract and likewise seems to be in danger of facing an offseason ultimatum.

Nelson (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson has not practiced this week after injuring his shoulder in Week 16, and it turns out the setback will cut his season short by one game. Outside of the 2015 season when he did not play due to a preseason knee injury, Nelson's 482 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2017 were both his lowest totals since 2010. Granted, his production slipped mightily when regular quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone, but he did not post more than 79 yards in a game even when Rodgers was under center. Nelson and Rodgers have a valuable red-zone connection and Nelson is under contract for 2018, but the drop-off makes him a potential cap casualty, and could at the least lead to a restructured contract.

Nelson (shoulder) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A mere spectator for the second day in a row, Nelson's lack of visible activity is balanced by his focus on rehabilitation of his left shoulder. No matter the progress made on that front, though, head coach Mike McCarthy noted Wednesday that "it'll be tough" for Nelson to get the all-clear for Sunday's game at Detroit. Assuming both Nelson and Davante Adams (concussion) sit out this weekend, the receiving corps will be a shell of itself, with Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison (illness), Michael Clark and Trevor Davis the primary options for Brett Hundley.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said Nelson (shoulder) wouldn't practice Wednesday and "it'll be tough" for the wideout to receive clearance to play Sunday against the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson will be limited to rehab work in the Packers' first official practice of the week after suffering a left shoulder injury in the Week 16 loss to the Vikings. The 32-year-old's fantasy upside was already capped with Brett Hundley filling in at quarterback for Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), so the likelihood that Nelson will be less than fully healthy if he's able to defy the odds and suit up Week 17 probably makes it best to avoid him in both season-long and DFS settings.

The Packers ruled Nelson out of Saturday's contest versus the Vikings with a shoulder injury.

EDGE Analysis

Since Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone Week 6, Nelson has been a shell of his usual self. The trend continued last Sunday with Rodgers back in action, when Nelson hauled in three of six passes for 28 yards. Prior to injuring his shoulder Saturday, Nelson had another three catches (on five targets) for a measly 11 yards. The Packers are already down No. 1 wideout Davante Adams due to a concussion, leaving Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Michael Clark and Jeff Janis as the remaining healthy bodies at the position.

Nelson is questionable to return to Saturday's contest against the Vikings due to a shoulder injury.

EDGE Analysis

On a catch late in the second quarter, Nelson came to his feet and favored his left arm as he returned to the huddle, per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Nelson remained on the field for one play before heading to the sideline, after which he underwent an evaluation during halftime. With the nature of his injury known, the Packers' medical staff can begin to hone in on its extent.

Nelson's involvement in the Packers' passing attack could remain limited with Brett Hundley set to start at quarterback in Green Bay's final two games following Aaron Rodgers' (collarbone) placement on injured reserve

EDGE Analysis

When Rodgers was activated from IR and returned to the starting lineup in advance of the Packers' eventual Week 15 loss to the Panthers, there was some hope that Nelson's lagging production might be boosted by the return of a familiar face under center. That didn't materialize, however, as Nelson finished the outing with just three catches on six targets for 28 yards. Those numbers were roughly in line with what Nelson had posted during Hundley's seven-game run as starter while Rodgers was out, as the veteran wideout never exceeded five receptions or 35 yards in any of those contests. With Green Bay officially eliminated from the playoff race and erring on the side of caution by shutting Rodgers down again, it's looking less and less likely that Nelson will return to the early-season form that saw him score six touchdowns in the team's first five games. With No. 1 receiver Davante Adams (concussion) uncertain to play again this season, it's possible that Nelson earns more targets by default in Hundley's second stint as starter, but it probably won't be enough volume to make him an attractive lineup option in the fantasy playoffs or DFS contests.

Nelson brought in three of six targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson was the least productive of the Packers' top receiving trio in Aaron Rodgers' return to action from a broken collarbone. However, he could have had a more impressive stat line if the quarterback hadn't slightly underthrown him on a mid-third-quarter pass at the Panthers' 26-yard line that was picked off by Carolina's James Bradberry. Hopes were high for Nelson to resume his typical level of production as soon as Rodgers was back under center, but fantasy owners still alive in their postseason tournaments will have to wait at least one more week for that to potentially come to pass. The Week 16 matchup isn't necessarily conducive to such, however, as the Packers face off with the stingy Vikings defense in Week 16.

Packers offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett doesn't expect the long layoff to impact Nelson's chemistry with Aaron Rodgers (collarbone), Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nelson completely fell off the map during Rodgers' absence, failing to top 35 yards or score a single touchdown in seven Brett Hundley starts. The 32-year-old wideout undoubtedly is excited for Rodgers to return Sunday in Carolina, but it's fair to question whether Nelson may have permanently lost the No. 1 receiver title to Davante Adams, who overcame Hundley's shaky play to catch 41 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns the past seven games. Given the extent of his slump, Nelson carries significant risk even with Rodgers back under center.