The Green Bay Packers head into their Week 15 matchup against the Carolina Panthers with the cloud of two-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers' availability for the contest looming overhead.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the situation on Monday afternoon voicing that there still isn't any clarity on Rodgers' status which he has termed being entirely a medical decision.
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy: “There’s a number of scans, testing that were run. It’s now in the evaluation stage. … I do not have a clean decision for you.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2017
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy said on Aaron Rodgers: "This is a medical decision. Dr. McKenzie is in touch with a number of medical experts. … We'll see what medical information comes back." No firm word on if Rodgers comes back this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2017
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy was consistent that it's a medical decision on Aaron Rodgers. This has been their stance all along, despite how incredible Rodgers has looked in practice and how bad he wants to play. It's simply about how the bone has healed and the risk.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2017
The 34-year-old has progressively been hedging toward being ready to play against the Panthers. He was able to participate in practice in a limited fashion last week while the coaching staff directed much praise toward Rodgers' recovery from a fractured collarbone that he suffered back in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings.
This has even pushed the Panthers to prepare for the Week 15 matchup with the assumption that the six-time Pro Bowler will be on the field. This has been largely due to the Packers being able to stay in the playoff picture in his absence with backup Brett Hundley under center. Hundley is also coming off one of his best performances where he threw three touchdown passes in the 27-21 comeback overtime win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.
Although Green Bay is taking the cautious approach with the situation, things are clearly moving toward Rodgers being on the field for the playoff push over the final stretch of the regular season. Ultimately, more clarity should be reached in the coming days.
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