Aaron Rodgers will be dealing with more than a “significantly strained” calf when he takes the field in Sunday’s NFC divisional-round playoff game at Lambeau Field.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback also has a slight tear in his calf, league sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortenson and Adam Schefter. The injury is not expected to sideline Rodgers, but it certainly has the potential to impact his mobility.
“There’s no question he will play, but there’s also no question he will not be 100 percent,” one doctor familiar with the injury said, per ESPN. “The question is whether he’ll be 95 percent or 50 percent.”
Rodgers at less than 100 percent still is better than most NFL quarterbacks, but it’s unknown how much the strain, and now tear, will limit him. Rodgers first sustained the injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 before aggravating it in the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions.
Rodgers hasn’t practiced since the Lions game Dec. 28, but he confidently stated Wednesday that he’ll be ready to go against the Cowboys.
“I’m going on Sunday,” Rodgers said per ESPN.com. “It’s just a matter of how.”
The quarterback was held out of practice Wednesday, and it’s unclear if he’ll take the field Thursday or Saturday for the team’s final practices before their game.
“I plan on Aaron playing Sunday,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after Wednesday’s practice. “Today’s schedule was for him to stay exclusively in the training room. There’s still some things that he needs to work through. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, if he’ll be able to practice. It’s day-to-day, but everything points in the direction of him playing.”
UPDATE (4:35 p.m.): McCarthy said Rodgers participated in Thursday’s practice and took 50 to 60 percent of the snaps in 11-on-11 drills. Rodgers officially was listed as limited on the Packers’ practice participation report.
“Aaron practiced in the team periods. He looked good,” McCarthy said, via the team’s website. “He went down and did everything we asked him to do today. It’s always a better practice when he’s out there.”
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports Images
