When N.F.L. fans watch their favorite team play its exhibition games, they seldom care too much about winning and losing. Instead, they hope to see veterans look sharp and rookies look promising. But most of all, they hope the key players come out unscathed.
Geen Bay Packers fans were horrified by Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh, and it had nothing to do with losing it, 24-19.
Early in the first quarter, the Pro Bowl receiver Jordy Nelson injured his left knee, and the prognosis did not seem good. Speculation immediately centered on a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would knock Nelson out for the season.