|
 "He's just relieved to play. He just wants to focus on football,"
Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Thursday.
The winner of Sunday's game at Chicago will win the NFC North title
and qualify for the playoffs.
"I know they're excited about my return," Rodgers said of his
team-mates. "(But) my coming back doesn't alleviate any of the
pressure on the guys."
Rodgers has missed the past seven games with a broken left
collarbone. He has been chomping at the bit to return to action the
past few weeks, and the Packers' medical staff has finally given him
the green light.
"Every football player that plays Sunday will have risk," McCarthy
said. "We all understand that. We've done our due diligence, gone
through all the evaluations and we feel Aaron is ready to play.
"Aaron has accepted the level of risk."
[to top of second column] |
McCarthy said it has been a stressful period for the 2011
Super Bowl most valuable player but now Rodgers was ready to
play.
"He's throwing the ball very well going on three weeks, getting
ready for this moment, and the moment's here," the coach said.
The Packers (7-7-1) have struggled without Rodgers — going 2-4-1
in his absence — but remain in playoff contention in the weak
NFC North, which the Bears lead with an 8-7 record.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, N.C.; editing by
Gene Cherry)
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