Aaron Rodgers Expected to Miss Thanksgiving Day Game vs. Lions
After suffering a broken collarbone in a Nov. 4 game against the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers was slated to miss three weeks of action, but it appears the timeline for his recovery has been extended, as the team announced this week that Rodgers is doubtful to return in time for the Pack’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions.
“I would say he’s slim to none,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters, according to ESPN.com.
McCarthy added that Rodgers hasn’t practiced much in the past few weeks and although the team didn’t hold practice on Monday, said that Rodgers would not have participated anyway.
“Let’s be honest — he’s got to practice,” McCarthy said. “There’s some physical rehab hurdles to get through that he hasn’t reached yet. Like I said, it would be a huge stretch for him to play in this game.”
The Packers have used three different quarterbacks in the past three weeks, and have failed to win a game in Rodgers’ absence – although they did manage to tie the lowly Minnesota Vikings 26-26 last week. It’s unclear who the Packers will put under center this week, but there’s no question that they need to find some positive results, as they enter week 13 a half game back of both the Bears and Lions in the NFC North.
At the moment, Green Bay’s only two healthy options are former third-stringer Scott Tolzien – who has started the last two games – and the recently-signed Matt Flynn, who nearly rallied the Packers to a win after replacing Tolzien last week against the Vikes. McCarthy wouldn’t name a starter on Monday, but said his solution for the time being will be to prepare both QBs for the potential start.
“We’ve got to get two quarterbacks ready, frankly,” McCarthy said. “This experience that we’ve gone through the last four weeks with a different quarterback in four straight games, we’re taking a hard look at our preparation. Who has the ball at the beginning of the game, we’ll let you know down the line.”
Considering Flynn’s had success in Green Bay before and is coming off a strong showing, he should get the call, but either way, a win at Ford Field will be tough to earn against a Lions team that is currently tied for first place in the division.
“Matt played very well; he deserves to start,” McCarthy said. “I like the way Scott has grown. So those are the things we’re talking about. So we’re going to do the best we can to make sure they’re both ready.”
While you could argue the Packers are more effective with Flynn leading the way as opposed to Tolzien, their chances of winning on the road this week are about as good as Rodgers’ are to start: Slim to none. Take the Lions to cover -6 points in this one.
