The Green Bay Packers’ worst fears about the severity of receiver Jordy Nelson’s knee injury have come true.

The team said Monday only that the star receiver suffered a “significant right knee injury” that would cost him the season. Nelson, one of the top targets for NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, was injured Sunday in a preseason game at Pittsburgh.

“It’s difficult to lose a guy like that in a meaningless game,” Rodgers said after the 24-19 loss to the Steelers.

Coach Mike McCarthy was hoping for better results from more tests on Nelson’s knee in Green Bay on Monday.