The Green Bay Packers are squarely in the playoff mix in the NFC after defeating the Dallas Cowboys in a stunning, or not so stunning based on how the Boys play in December, and with Aaron Rodgers on the mend, the team has plenty on the line against the Steelers Sunday and running back Eddie Lacy looks set to start.
Lacy is dealing with an ankle issue and while he missed practice on Wednesday, the rookie running back will likely start on Sunday against the Steelers. Lacy was held out to keep him healthy for Sunday and was mostly just as a precaution and he has shown this season that he can fight through minor injuries. Lacy is on track to win offensive rookie of the year with over 1,000 yards already and eight touchdowns and the back from Alabama has helped the Packers have a top 10 rushing offense for the first time in a number of years.
Lacy is coming into the game after a strong performance against the Cowboys, including the crucial touchdown in the matchup that helped cap off the 20 point comeback for the team on Sunday. Lacy had his second 100-yard game in four weeks with 141 yards on 21 carries and he had four receptions for 30 yards as well. Lacy has had at least two touchdowns in each of his last five games and he had 11 yards against the Vikings three weeks ago and should be in line for another productive day as the Packers look to keep up with the Chicago Bears in the standings.
The Packers play the Chicago Bears in the season finale on the road in Week 17 at Soldier Field and depending on what happens that game could decide a spot in the playoffs.
The Packers are hoping Rodgers can come back quickly and here is more from Reuters.com: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked sharp at practice on Wednesday but the team will again wait until Friday to see if he can be cleared medically to play in Sunday's pivotal game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 30-year-old, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has missed six games because of a broken collarbone, took snaps with the second team on Wednesday while his backup, Matt Flynn, worked with the first team.
"Aaron Rodgers update, he's doing better," Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters after practice. "He's still not been cleared by the medical staff.
"He threw the ball extremely well. He looked sharp. He's getting better. We're going to take a similar process to last week," said McCarthy, referring to the team's policy of delaying any decision on Rodgers' availability until Friday.
With two weeks remaining in the National Football League's regular season, the Packers (7-6-1) would dearly love to see Rodgers, the Super Bowl's most valuable player in 2011, return as they maintain their playoff push. (Reuters)