Matthews suffers broken nose in softball game

GRAND CHUTE - Linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a broke nose after he was hit in the face with a line drive Saturday during a Green Bay Packers charity softball game.

Matthews was pitching in the third inning at Fox Cities Stadium when offensive lineman Lucas Patrick smacked the ball directly back into the Pro Bowl outside linebacker’s face. The force of contact knocked Matthews to the ground, and the ball ricocheted toward the foul line between third base and home plate. Matthews quickly stood up and, glove over his face, walked toward the dugout while Patrick checked on him midway.

Late Saturday afternoon, the linebacker tweeted that he “busted my nose pretty good and will have surgery once the swelling subsides” but expressed gratitude that the injury wasn’t more serious.

Matthews was one of two captains for the game, joining receiver Davante Adams. The game resumed about 30 minutes after Matthews departed, but Adams pitched behind a batting practice screen.

Without their captain, Team Clay rallied to win, 10-9.

After the game, Adams spoke about the moment Matthews got hit.

“It was scary,” Adams said. “I could hear a little crack. I didn’t know if it was glasses or what it was. You never want to watch something like that unfold. He didn’t seem like he was doing too bad, but I know it didn’t feel good.”

The Packers are in the midst of their organized team activities. Matthews has not participated because of a knee injury.

After the Packers went almost the entire draft without picking an edge rusher, Matthews’ health is critical to the team’s success this season.