Jordy Nelson eyes playing next week if Green Bay Packers advance

Green Bay Packers star wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who already was ruled out with cracked ribs for Sunday's divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, hopes to play next week if his team advances to the NFC title game.

Nelson told NFL Network his biggest goal right now is to get back to normal breathing.

"It's a pain no one wants to feel," Nelson said Sunday.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that team doctors did not medically clear the ninth-year veteran to practice Saturday.

Nelson has been sidelined because of cracked ribs he sustained in last Sunday's 38-13 wild-card playoff win over the New York Giants.

Nelson traveled with the team to Dallas and will be re-evaluated by team doctors on Monday. He was on the field before Sunday's game.

For the first time this season, the Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be without their top receiver, who led the team in receptions (97), receiving yards (1,257) and touchdown catches (14) during the regular season.

Nelson's absence will elevate now-healthy Randall Cobb (60 catches for 610 yards and four TDs) into the role of lead receiver. Cobb caught three touchdown passes against the Giants while accumulating five receptions for 116 yards.