Nelson won't start season on PUP

The Green Bay Packers should have receiver Jordy Nelson available when they conduct their first training-camp practice on Thursday morning.

Nelson wasn't among the players the Packers placed on their physical unable to perform list, meaning he passed his pre-camp physical. Coming off his first Pro Bowl, Nelson missed most of the offseason program after undergoing hip surgery.

Outside linebacker Nick Perry (shoulder surgery), defensive lineman Josh Boyd (knee) and cornerback Casey Hayward (foot) also were cleared after sitting out of the offseason program. That same goes for offensive lineman Don Barclay, outside linebacker Andy Mulumba and receiver Jared Abbrederis, who are coming off reconstructive knee surgeries.

The Packers may still take it easy with any of their players returning from injuries, but their exclusion from the PUP lists suggests they've been medically cleared to return.

Outside linebacker Mike Neal, receiver Ricky Collins and running back John Crockett failed their physicals and will start camp on the PUP list. The same goes for rookie cornerback Quinten Rollins, who was placed on the non-football injury list. All four count toward can be activated anytime during camp once they're cleared.

Neal didn't talk about his injury during the offseason program, but played through an abdominal issue through the latter half of last season. It's the third consecutive year Neal has started the season on PUP. Crockett, an undrafted rookie out of North Dakota State, injured his ankle during the last week of mini-camp.

-whodkiew@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @WesHod.