Matthews says Tate cut block caused groin injury

DETROIT, Mich. -- Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews didn't know the severity of his groin injury Sunday, but he had a clear recollection of how it happened.

Matthews was pursuing the football in the second half when a block forced him to suddenly change direction.

"One of their little receivers tried to cut me, and I planted wrong," Matthews said. "So I felt a little something down there."

Which receiver?

"I think it was Golden Tate," Matthews said.

Matthews ran onto the field twice – and returned to the sideline both times – during a timeout in the fourth quarter. He was on the sideline during Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush's 26-yard touchdown run, which sealed the Lions' 19-7 win.

Matthews did not return to the game.

When asked in the locker room afterward, Matthews said he was unsure whether he could've returned to the game if needed.

"I felt a little something, but I think just being cautious moving forward," Matthews said. "I don't know what to tell you. I feel good now, but obviously I'm not running around full speed."

Matthews said he hopes to know his status later this week.

Tate has come into conflict with the Packers before. Most notably, the former Seattle Seahawks wideout was on the receiving end of the infamous Fail Mary, when replacement official Lance Easley called a touchdown on the final play of the Packers loss on Monday Night Football two years ago.

For Matthews, an injury is nothing new. Matthews has only played 16 games once, his rookie season. He's dealt with hamstring pulls, broken thumbs, but a groin injury is a first.

Matthews said he doesn't know how the healing process will go.

"It doesn't feel too bad," Matthews said. 'We'll see how it does moving forward. Can't really give you a timetable or anything along those lines because I've never done it before, but we'll kind of see how it goes."

-rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood