The Green Bay Packers are not feeling great about Aaron Rodgers' chances of playing against the Dallas Cowboys. The quarterback has participated in limited practice throughout the past two weeks, but has yet to receive any clearance from doctors. As Rodgers continues to say the pain is still bad, head coach Mike McCarthy is not confident he will be active in Week 15.
According to ESPN, the Packers are pretty "pessimistic" over the idea that Rodgers will return from a fractured collarbone to play against the Dallas Cowboys. There has been no word on what the quarterback's status is. Rodgers will be undergoing more tests on Wednesday to determine his status for the remainder of the season.
Medical experts have said it seems very unlikely that Rodgers will get cleared since it has been less than six weeks since the original injury took place. A return on Sunday would be too premature for the franchise quarterback. Rodgers understands that the doctors know best and he admits that the pain has still been tough to manage.
"It's frustrating, very frustrating," Rodgers said, via ESPN.com. "I was trying to push it before science tells you before it's possible. I shouldn't be having pain doing some of the simple movements."
Rodgers plans on practicing throughout the week, but will let the doctors determine the best route to take as far as his health is concerned. As a result, the Packers are creating their offensive plan around backup Matt Flynn instead of Rodgers. While the offense does not differ too much with Flynn in, some of the big throws down field are removed from the game plan, much to the dismay of several Packers receivers.
"We have to make some throws," James Jones said, via theMilwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Everybody knows it. It's going to be cold. They're going to stack the box to try to stop James and Lacy. We have to make some throws and we have to make some catches. It will get done. Have you seen Matt make the throws? I've seen him make them before, so I believe he can make them."
Flynn's arm could be extremely important this week as rookie running back Eddie Lacy could be out with an ankle injury. McCarthy confirmed that Lacy suffered the injury against the Falcons and could be held back or limited as a result. That would take a big part of the offense out for the Packers as they fight for the playoffs.
Green Bay remains in the hunt after defeating Atlanta in Week 14. They trail the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions by a half-game so each win going forward is crucial.