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During his Monday press conference, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy emphatically expressed a desire for the organization to determine Aaron Rodgers' availability earlier this week than in past weeks. Over the previous three weeks, the medical staff and front office did not declare Rodgers as "out" until the Friday. McCarthy said he'd prefer to make a decision "sooner than later."
This is something clearly, after seeing Aaron practice for two weeks, this is something Ted Thompson and I need to sit down and we need to assess all the information and decide if it's time for him to play. Aaron wants to play, has wanted to play for the last couple of weeks. Aaron fully accepts, understands everything going on with his injury. This is really a decision for Ted Thompson and I, representing the organization. That's how it works.
While most rightly assumed that Packers GM Ted Thompson ultimately controls the decision, it wasn't expected that McCarthy would admit so publicly. This is a rare moment of transparency for an organization that is among the most secretive in the league. However, that McCarthy chose to reveal how the decision will be made suggests that the team doesn't plan to clear Rodgers and wants to ease both him and the fans into their verdict.
In an equally uninspiring development, McCarthy revealed some details of Clay Matthews' newest ailment, calling it "similar to [a] repeat injury." McCarthy further declared that no timetable had been set for a recovery as a full assessment is still pending. As has been well documented, the Packers are notoriously conservative with injuries. Consequently, not only shouldn't Matthews be expected to play this Sunday, but he's probably done for any postseason games in which Green Bay might participate.
That's all from McCarthy. Keep your internet machines tuned to Acme Packing Company for the latest Packers news and developments.
