Ron Rivera, Panthers Preparing for Aaron Rodgers
Whoever the Green Bay Packers have under center next Sunday in Carolina, it doesn't matter: they have to win.
The expectation is that the Packers will have quarterback Aaron Rodgers back at the helm for their final three games. It would certainly be helpful, considering they play the Panthers, the Minnesota Vikings in Green Bay and then the Lions in Detroit; all three of those teams are fighting for playoff relevancy.
The Panthers, next up on the schedule, aren't sparing much expense in waiting for confirmation on whether or not Rodgers will play. Coach Ron Rivera isn't overlooking the Packers, whether it's Rodgers or Brett Hundley, who has started the last seven games for Green Bay.
According to ESPN's David Newton, Rivera said he expects to face Rodgers this week.
It'll be Rodgers' first game back since suffering a broken right clavicle in the Oct. 15 meeting with the Vikings. Ever since, he's made incredible strides on the path of his recovery, including practicing in pads for the first time last Thursday.
If all goes well with his CT scan, which will take place either Monday or Tuesday, then Rodgers will be spearheading the Packers' playoff run through the rest of December.
The scan is expected to take place either Monday or Tuesday, Barring any setbacks, he'll practice with the team on Wednesday.
There shouldn't be any setbacks, considering how highly teammates and outside analysts have spoken of Rodgers' work in practice. Last week, coach Mike McCarthy said that Rodgers is "doing things a lot quicker than all of us would anticipate," and that, "the training staff's done a great job. His recovery has been impressive."
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on Sunday morning, prior to the Packers' game against the Cleveland Browns, that Rodgers looked "just incredible" since returning to practice with the team.
McCarthy, however, wouldn't provide much of a current update on Rodgers after the game on Sunday.
"We love [Aaron] Rodgers, but I won't answer any questions about him today," McCarthy said after the win. "This is about winning the game. He's still in a medical situation, and as soon as we have the information, I'll give it to you."
Even wide receiver Davante Adams is left in the dark after his multi-touchdown performance against the Browns -- one of which was the 25-yard game-winner in overtime to keep the Packers afloat.
During his appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday, Adams echoed the beliefs of many that he hopes Rodgers is back and that everything is going well.
"We don't know what is going to happen yet, and if he is back that is great. [Brett] Hundley's confidence continues to elevate and we have to rally behind him until No. 12 gets back."
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (11)
TarynsEyes
December 11, 2017 at 04:48 pm
Plan for the best to come at you...goes without saying or having to think about it. It was the projected date and nothing has changed for Rivera.
egbertsouse
December 11, 2017 at 05:51 pm
According to an orthopedic surgeon I talked to the other day the talk that Rodgers will be fully healed next week is pure bunk. It takes around 6months for the bone to be completely healed. What the team docs are doing is assessing the risk of a re-injury based on how far the healing process has progressed plus the additional stability of the plates and screws. He said the docs should tell him the risks and let him decide but it is a roll of the dice. One hard hit and we’ll see, I guess.
HankScorpio
December 11, 2017 at 06:32 pm
"..it is a roll of the dice. One hard hit and we’ll see, I guess."
That fits every single snap Rodgers, and every other NFL player, has ever taken.
cuervo
December 12, 2017 at 07:19 am
You are correct about the timeline....many here have been saying the same thing based on where the Packers are currently in the playoff race, and the defense we currently have.
dobber
December 12, 2017 at 07:54 am
This is not news, bert.
Roadrunner23
December 11, 2017 at 06:03 pm
If that is true they should shut him down!
Why even take that chance?
Besides Hundley is the new "cardiac kid" two OT wins in a row haha.
MarkAlan
December 11, 2017 at 06:20 pm
Its the first 3 quarters that worry me where the worse team in the NFL outplayed them, lets work on that
4thand1
December 11, 2017 at 09:27 pm
1st quarter was a draw, lost the 2nd and 3rd, won the 4th and OT. There are a few teams the Browns could beat if they played today.
4thand1
December 11, 2017 at 09:24 pm
and we wait.........................................................
Hematite
December 12, 2017 at 05:37 am
Let him fully heal.
Save him until next year.
dobber
December 12, 2017 at 07:56 am
"f all goes well with his CT scan, which will take place either Monday or Tuesday, then Rodgers will be spearheading the Packers' playoff run through the rest of December.
The scan is expected to take place either Monday or Tuesday, Barring any setbacks, he'll practice with the team on Wednesday."
Hey Zach, when is that CT scan going to be? ;)