In order to make room for the previously reported transaction of adding running back Khalil Bell to the Green Bay Packers roster, the organization released second-year safety Jerron McMillian on Tuesday.

McMillian is the highest choice from the 2012 Packers draft class to be released after playing in 28 regular season games, making just two starts.

"Releasing him today, it's tough," said head coach Mike McCarthy. "Anytime you have a young player you bring into your program, you obviously have expectations. But this is something we felt we needed to do from a roster standpoint. I think our roster distribution reflects that.

"And as far as his individual performance, it just wasn't quite where it needed to be this year. You never want to give up on a young guy. He's a true professional, and I obviously wish him well."

McMillian had an encouraging rookie season, coming up with an interception and 27 tackles despite not starting a single game. He entered 2012 in a battle with M.D. Jennings for a starting position opposite Morgan Burnett but never could capitalize on the opportunity.

In a reserve role, McMillian struggled in coverage in games against San Francisco in Week 1 and at Baltimore in Week 6 and saw his playing time cut significantly in subsequent weeks, taking part in just seven defensive snaps over the past four games and a reduction in his role on special teams as well.

With Chris Banjo and Sean Richardson stealing snaps away from McMillian, the young safety became expendable, in part to make room for Bell. In addition to running back, Bell could factor into the kick return position in Green Bay.

No Clarity on Aaron Rodgers

In essence, Aaron Rodgers is the same position as he was heading into last week's game against the Detroit Lions, not cleared to play, but not being ruled out either.

"He has not been cleared yet from the medical staff," McCarthy explained Tuesday. "Aaron Rodgers will practice tomorrow in a limited fashion, and we have not ruled him out for the game yet."

While in the midst of a five-game winless streak, Rodgers has sat out of each of the past four games with a broken collarbone.

Rodgers essentially echoed McCarthy's comments on his weekly radio on ESPN radio affiliates in Milwaukee and Madison on Tuesday, saying that scans on his shoulder weren't as positive as he hoped.

McCarthy indicated that Matt Flynn will take the starter's reps at Wednesday's practice and will get the starting nod ahead of Scott Tolzien if Rodgers can't play.

In response to reports that Rodgers could be shut down for the season earlier this week, McCarthy also denied that possibility.

"There has been no internal conversations about shutting Aaron Rodgers down," said McCarthy. "Aaron wants to play when he's healthy and will be given the opportunity to play."

Offensive Line Encouragement

After seeing center Evan Dietrich-Smith leave the Thanksgiving Day game with his second knee injury of the season, it became easy to fear the worst and think that he could perhaps be shut down for the season.

But Dietrich-Smith is said to be doing well and could even play in the Packers' upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

"He feels better," said McCarthy. "He feels that the time off really helped him, and I'm hopeful that he'll practice tomorrow."

If Dietrich-Smith is able to play in Week 14, that would prevent T.J. Lang from shifting to center and give the Packers their best offensive line along with Don Barclay starting at right tackle.