× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

GREEN BAY — Veteran outside linebacker Nick Perry, who was placed on season-ending IR last Saturday with a knee injury suffered in the team’s Nov. 11 win over Miami, said Friday that he expects to be back with the team next season, despite a hefty contract and the possibility that the team will seek salary-cap relief by cutting him two years into a five-year, $60 million deal he signed in March 2017.

Perry gruesomely hyperextended his right knee during the second quarter of that game but said Friday he was able to avoid surgery. Nevertheless, his season is over.

“Look, I’m disappointed. I’m just disappointed,” said Perry, who had a team-high 11 sacks in 2016 and seven sacks in 12 games last season in 12 games, when he ended the year on IR with ankle and shoulder injuries. “I don’t want to dwell into that what-if stuff. It’s just where I’m at right now.”

Asked if he thinks his Packers career might be over, Perry replied, “Look, I treat every year as a year to compete and be a team player. To the powers that be that have control over the situations, that’s out of my deal. If ‘Gutey’ (general manager Brian Gutekunst) and everybody else wants me to be back, I’ll be back.