Packers' Clay Matthews returns to practice after dealing with knee soreness

The Green Bay Packers welcomed a key member of their defense back to the field Monday.

Clay Matthews returned to the field after missing a week of training camp with a sore knee. Still, head coach Mike McCarthy wasn't ready to turn Matthews loose.

"Clay Matthews is on a trial-and-error, trial return," McCarthy said, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Matthews took part in the majority of the drills during the workout, but it remains to be seen whether Matthews will be on the field when the Packers open the preseason against the New England Patriots on Thursday.

"You know what, any opportunity to be out there, especially in regards to preseason games, I think is very important," Matthews said. "But there's always other factors that go along with that."

The 29-year-old linebacker has maintained that the ailment isn't serious, but the Packers certainly don't want to rush him back on the field needlessly. Matthews proved his value and versatility last season, as the pass-rusher shifted to inside linebacker and performed well to help Green Bay boost a weaker area of its defense.