After optimistic nuggets of information were coming in from various sources all Thursday morning, Mike McCarthy finally confirmed Thursday afternoon that Aaron Rodgers will start in Chicago. Speculation was tossed around all week over whether Rodgers (collarbone) would play in Green Bay's win or go home match up with the Bears. Rodgers hasn't played since Week 9's loss to the Bears when he was sacked on the first series and fractured his left collarbone.
What followed was weeks of "will he/won't he" start as the Packers teetered on the brink of playoff elimination following a 5-2 start under Rodgers. The Packers, who tend to play their injuries conservatively, were under fan and media pressure as the team went 2-5-1 without Rodgers playing.
Talks of Rodgers playing really began to pick up leading to Green Bay's match up with the Steelers last week, but once again the decision was made by the Packer organization to start Matt Flynn. The Packers fell to Pittsburgh 38-31 on Sunday afternoon, but losses by the Lions and Bears kept the Packers in contention to win the NFC North by beating Chicago this week.
Reports this week were that a decision would come early so the Packers could move forward in preparation for this do-or-die game. Then, Packers fans got a late Christmas gift when it broke that a decision on Rodgers would come on Thursday. In the portion of Packers practice that was open to the media, reports surfaced that Rodgers was taking 1st-team reps in individual drills.
McCarthy then confirmed this report in his press conference Thursday afternoon, saying Rodgers will start on Sunday for Green Bay.
"We’ve done our due diligence. We feel it’s time for Aaron to play,” said McCarthy.
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