Packers say Jordy Nelson's hip is no concern after offseason surgery

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers couldn't help but throw a little shade at his friend and leading receiver when asked how Jordy Nelson looked after entering training camp with questions about his surgically repaired hip.

"Was he even out there?" the Green Bay Packers quarterback playfully asked after Thursday's practice.

Rodgers, of course, knew. He hit Nelson on a few quality passes during the two-hour session, and in an otherwise uneventful camp-opening practice, Nelson's presence on the field was a sign of good news for the Packers. He had missed parts of OTAs following hip surgery, and even though he took part in drills in June, there was speculation that Nelson could open up camp on the Packers' active/PUP list.

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But Nelson was a full go. He ran in shells (no pads) at what appeared to be close to full speed, made nice cuts and worked on sharpening his Pro Bowl form.

Head coach Mike McCarthy appeared impressed.

"Jordy’s so consistent. Today, the little that I watched him one-on-one, it looks like he hasn’t missed a beat," McCarthy said. "I think tomorrow [Friday, also in shells] and the next day [Saturday, the first full-padded practice] and things like that, really how he feels as he progresses through camp will be the first hurdle that he needs to get over.

"I thought the staff and Jordy took the right amount of time. Like I’ve said in here before, I don’t think there was a day in the offseason and even over the vacation that I was in here that Jordy wasn’t in here working.

And, yes, Rodgers eventually admitted to liking Nelson — and what he saw from him on Day 1.

"Yeah, Jordy's a stud. He's a top player and it was great having him out there again," Rodgers said.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm