The Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers can downplay injuries to the media all they want, but a doctor's report cannot be ignored. Rodgers has been dealing with calf issues for the last stretch of the regular season and now as the team prepares for the divisional round of the playoffs, things appear to be more serious than the Packers have been letting on. Rodgers intends to play on Sunday, but there is no chance he will be at 100 percent.
While most players got healthy of the week off for Green Bay, Rodgers' injury or the report of the injury got worse. According to ESPN.com, Rodgers has a slight tear and significant strain in his calf muscle that might not prevent him from playing against the Cowboys, but will certainly keep him from being 100 percent and mobile on the field. Rodgers was held out of practice on Wednesday as the Packers attempt to rehab the injury quickly.
"There's no question he will play, but there's also no question he will not be 100 percent," said one doctor familiar with the injury, via ESPN.com. "The question is whether he'll be 95 percent or 50 percent."
With Rodgers potentially hampered, a lot of the offense could rest on the shoulders of Eddie Lacy who is putting up another strong season in the league following nabbing Rookie of the Year last season. He will be a big x-factor against the Cowboys after putting up 1,139 yards this season. The Packers have rushed for over 110 yards in 11 of the last 12 games thanks to the second -year pro. Lacy told the media that he was healthy entering the playoff matchup and was eager to get the team a win.
The Packers are certainly not overlooking the Cowboys defense. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson told the media that Dallas will make a player work for every catch and yard, but the team was up to the challenge. Randall Cobb will join Nelson on the field as the two have become one of the most dynamic wide receiver tandems in franchise history. Cobb is currently awaiting a new contract for Green Bay and intends to put up the big stats to show why he deserves it and the injury to Rodgers is of no concern.
"He's a competitor, that's what I love about him," Cobb said, via the team website. "He's going to go out and give his best no matter what. He's going to play through pain, play through sickness. It's just great to see a teammate going out there and putting his body on the line every down for you. It's great to play with him."
