Packers QB Aaron Rodgers practices; no decision until Sunday

Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is taken off the field after sustaining an injury against the Chicago Bears in the first half at Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis.
Adam Wesley/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took part in the team’s Saturday morning practice, but he is still listed as questionable and his status won’t be determined until Sunday morning.

Rodgers, who injured his knee in the Packers’ 24-23 victory over the Chicago Bears Sunday, did not practice Wednesday and Thursday. The team did not practice Friday when Rodgers was listed as questionable.

Just because Rodgers practiced doesn’t mean he will play against the Minnesota Vikings at noon Sunday at Lambeau Field.

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The medical staff will see how his knee responded from the Saturday work and make a decision in the morning. The fact he practiced shows that the medical staff at least feels he has a chance to play and was willing to give him an opportunity to show he could move around without too much difficulty.

It’s likely they’ll go through a similar process in the morning, making sure that Rodgers can at least move in the pocket before allowing him to play in the game. If he has soreness or swelling, it would seem unlikely they would risk playing him.

Rodgers injured the knee in the first half of the Bears game when his lower leg was landed on and his knee bent inward. He left the game but came back in the second half and led the Packers on a 21-point comeback.

During the week, Rodgers would not predict whether he would be able to play but said he was focusing on rehabbing the knee and hoped he would make enough progress to play against the Vikings. He has not identified the specific ligament that is injured, saying he would just call it a sprained knee.

The Packers are facing one of the best defenses in the NFL, and if Rodgers can’t move in the pocket it’s hard to imagine coach Mike McCarthy or the medical staff allowing him to play.

For now, however, there’s reason to believe he at least has a shot at playing.