Aaron Rodgers’ Sore Left Calf Likely Will Impact Packers’ Game Plan

Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday, but it remains to be seen if, or how much, he’ll be limited in the NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback initially injured his left calf three weeks ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before re-injuring it in the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. Although Rodgers returned to the field after missing just a couple of series to lead the Pack to another NFC North title, it was obvious he wasn’t moving as well.

Former Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga knows a thing or two about Rodgers’ injury, as he suffered the same fate back in his playing days. In his latest post for Football by Football, Poppinga notes that Rodgers’ calf will be a factor Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, but the Packers can follow the same game plan they used against Detroit and still secure a victory while their quarterback continues to heal.

“For the Packers, the game plan will have to look a lot like it did against the Lions in Week 17,” Poppinga writes. “Bootlegs and rollouts, which Rodgers excels at, will likely be limited. Maybe the Packers run one controlled, moving-pocket play early to determine how Rodgers’ calf reacts while throwing on the move. This is preferable to learning how he handles those movement-based plays until after he’s been flushed from the pocket because you can better control the outcome.”