Clay Matthews taking "baby steps" in practice

Clay Matthews has said that he has been taking "baby steps" since returning to practice with the Green Bay Packers.

The linebacker has been recovering from surgery to repair a broken thumb, keeping him out of the last four games.

The 27-year-old, who has been wearing a protective dressing over his hand, told reporters: "I'll do the best I can with it and we'll see what that means come Sunday.

"I just have to get used to playing a little more with one hand and be comfortable throwing it in there. I'm taking baby steps.

"Just where we're at in the season, with our quarterback going down, it's time for other positions to elevate their game and really carry this team until he comes back. Until then, I'll try to do the best I can to help this team out with one arm."

Matthews has 18 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles from four games in 2013.