Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews underwent right thumb surgery Friday and will miss the team's showdown for an NFL playoff berth Sunday at Chicago.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced the loss of the team's top pass rushing threat on Friday, easing some concerns for Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler.
Matthews, a four-time Pro Bowl defender who leads the Packers with 7.5 quarterback sacks, missed four games after fracturing the same thumb in early October and is out indefinitely.
Every other player on the Green Bay roster was listed as probable, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was named Sunday's starter for the Packers after missing the prior seven games due to a broken collarbone suffered when the Bears beat the Packers last month.
The Packers are also considering activating receiver Randall Cobb from the injured list after evaluating his condition this weekend.
Cobb has not played since fracturing his right leg against Baltimore on October 13, but he has trained the past two weeks.
The winner between Chicago (8-7) and Green Bay (7-7 with one drawn) will win the NFC North division and claim a playoff spot while the season will end for the loser.
