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Early during the Green Bay Packers' Friday practice, we got this news from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn on Aaron Rodgers' work during the part of the session that was open to the media:
Aaron Rodgers, helmet off and not looking too happy, stood to side watching early team periods led by QBs Flynn, Tolzien Fri for #Packers.
— Bob McGinn (@BobMcGinn) December 13, 2013
Naturally, that led to wild speculation about Rodgers' availability, specifically the lack thereof, which was confirmed by Mike McCarthy after practice. Indeed, Rodgers has been ruled out yet again this week, so he will not play against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Here's the full injury report for Sunday's game:
PROBABLE: C Evan Dietrich-Smith, ILB Brad Jones, RB Eddie Lacy, ILB Jamari Lattimore, OLB Mike Neal, OLB Nick Perry
OUT: QB Aaron Rodgers , DE C.J. Wilson
Discussing Rodgers' injury, McCarthy had this to say:
It's been a difficult morning going through the conversation with Aaron Rodgers and Dr. McKenzie, he did very little today...he's very disappointed, he's frustrated, but speaking with Dr. McKenzie he feels that is the right decision...he was not scanned this morning...but the hurdle Aaron wanted to get over, he achieved it this week, he felt he was ready to play, but listening to all the conversation, all the facts in his evaluation, we feel it's in our best interests to not let Aaron play Sunday.
Clearly, Matt Flynn will start on Sunday for the Packers, and McCarthy said he looked "very sharp" in Friday's practice, when he took all the repetitions as the starter to prepare for the game. Flynn should have opportunities against a Dallas defense that is giving up yards at a historic rate and looks to be without its middle linebacker, Sean Lee, for Sunday's game.
There is some good news in today's injury report, though, namely that running back Eddie Lacy is probable, along with inside linebackers Brad Jones and Jamari Lattimore. With Rodgers out, Lacy and James Starks will need to be at the top of their game to take pressure off Flynn, while Jones and Lattimore will be needed on the interior of the defense and special teams, respectively.
