Green Bay Packers free agent RG T.J. Lang wants to return

T.J. Lang will have to wait to make his Pro Bowl debut.

The veteran right guard said Monday his deteriorating health in the closing weeks of the season will keep him playing in the all-star game at Orlando, Fla., this weekend.

Lang had to drop out of the 44-21 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship on Sunday after he aggravated his broken left foot. The original injury occurred in mid-November, and Lang soldiered on the rest of the season after missing only a few games.

He was in a walking boot Monday.

"The first time, it didn't really heal," Lang said Monday, when he and his teammates cleaned out their lockers at Lambeau Field. "I didn't give it enough time to heal. It's supposed to take six to eight weeks, and I missed three games. So, this time, just take my time with it and let it properly heal."

The eight-year pro also revealed he will have arthroscopic surgery Friday for a hip injury that has bothered him for a while.

"If I would've come out of the game healthy, I had plans on going," Lang said about his first-time selection to the Pro Bowl. "But, just the way my foot felt, once I hurt my foot again (and) my hip was hurting pretty bad (Sunday), too. Those things combined, I just made the decision -- get healthy."

Lang's future with the Packers is up in the air. He is set to become a free agent in March, but he's hopeful about re-signing with Green Bay.

"I've been here eight years, this is my home," Lang said. "I've raised my children here. I have a family. I just love my brothers here, some of my best friends on this team. I love the city. I just love putting on that helmet every weekend. It's an honor to represent this team.

"So, yeah, it's definitely something that, it's not up to me, not my call, but I think everybody here knows that this is where my home is and this is where I want to stay. So, hopefully, things will work out in the next couple of months."