http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...e=HP_headlines

A Green Bay Packers spokesman said quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots while he recovers from his second concussion of the season, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The news wasn't a surprise, since Rodgers was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report, but it's a huge blow to the Packers (8-5), who trail the first-place Chicago Bears (9-4) by one game in the NFC North. Green Bay needs a victory over New England, which is an NFL-best 11-2, to keep pace in the playoff race and now turns to backup Matt Flynn as its starter.


The Packers signed rookie quarterback Graham Harrell from the practice squad Saturday to back up Flynn and placed safety Anthony Smith (ankle) on season-ending injured reserve.

Rodgers hasn't missed a game since he replaced Brett Favre as the Packers' starting quarterback in 2008.

Rodgers suffered his first concussion during an Oct. 10 overtime loss at Washington, but he was cleared to return to practice four days later and started in Green Bay's next game. This time, he couldn't practice all week and was only able to attend meetings Friday.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Rodgers was progressing in his recovery from the head injury that knocked him out of last Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions.

"He's working his way through the process," McCarthy said. "There are stages that you work through. But he's making progress. ... He looks good (and) would like to play."

But Rodgers won't play, leaving Flynn to run Green Bay's offense. The third-year pro out of LSU threw for 177 yards and an interception in relief of Rodgers last Sunday, and wide receiver Donald Driver expressed confidence in Flynn.

"I think we had fun (this week)," Driver said Friday. "It didn't slow anything down. Everything was kept the same. The pace was like going with Aaron. You'd think you would have to nix some things and work some things out, but no. It was just like we don't miss a beat."

McCarthy echoed Driver's sentiments, telling Madison's The Big 1070 that Flynn impressed him with two good days of practice.

Doubt any team runs better then the Bears.

 

Originally Posted by Bob Futon

couldn't the Pack hope the Eagles win Sunday and then win out since they have the Giants and get the 2nd WC?

This is their best hope, Futon. Or if the Giants win the Pack can win out and hope the Eagles lose at home to either Cowboys or Minnesota, which i doubt will happen. As a Giants fan
i've been worried about the Packers game and them losing to New England doesn't even really matter, although its obv a great boost to get a win. Should be a very interesting two
weeks in the NFL for about 15-20 teams

 

Originally Posted by tamayo85

Man, you just fucking HATE the bears...why tho?

Its just an honest observation. Any non-blinded bears homer should agree.

Packers lose to the Lions last week cause Rodgers gets hurt. Matt flynn is starting this week. And on top of that, minnesota has to play their first outdoor game at home in like 60 years with their 3rd string QB.

Sounds like the bears run good imo.

 

Originally Posted by SpankyHamm

Packers were going to lose this game regardless. So get Rodgers healthy enough for the last 2 regular season games.

Oh yea, no doubt. I was more refering to the pack last week and the vikings this week.

Bears 1-0 vs the Vikings with their first QB. Bears 1-0 vs the Packers with their first QB.

 

Originally Posted by Jaybone2315

Its just an honest observation. Any non-blinded bears homer should agree.

Packers lose to the Lions last week cause Rodgers gets hurt. Matt flynn is starting this week. And on top of that, minnesota has to play their first outdoor game at home in like 60 years with their 3rd string QB.

Sounds like the bears run good imo.

arent you the guy hoping the 9ers pull out a 7-9 playoff berth?
the bears arent an elite team but they are 4-0 in their division.

just seems ridiculous that you want a team to make it at 7-9 then say another team runs good.

thats not even the pot calling the kettle black... thats the pot calling the kettle a pot.

well whoever squeeks by in that division will easilly be the most fortunate team in football.

 

Originally Posted by Ozzie

well whoever squeeks by in that division will easilly be the most fortunate team in football.

tbh, if u have watched any 49ers game this year, you will realize that they actually run really really bad.

and fwiw, if they do end up getting in at 7-9, it will mean they went 5-1 in the division, so i guess that will count for something, idk. I mean its not like they are complete trash. They lost to the Saints by 3, Eagles by 3, and the Falcons by 2 (should have beat the falcons by nate clements is an idiot). Oh and the panthers pulled out a fluke win against them to by 3 points.

I know its really corny to say, but they are a little better then their record gives them credit for.

Is jennings startable? Flynn did put up some numbers last week.

 

Originally Posted by Jaybone2315

Doubt any team runs better then the Bears.

Agreed, they can pass the ball pretty well too at times.

On topic, let's be realistic here Rodgers in just lessens the amount the Packers lose by, the Pats are goooooooood

 

Originally Posted by Hodge05

Really need the Vikes to pull it out against the Bears. If they do, then the packers control their own destiny no matter what happens on Sunday night.

Yeah the Bears Vikes is a huge game for tiebreaking purposes right?

 

Originally Posted by Jaybone2315

Doubt any team runs better then the Bears.

So this

 

Originally Posted by Jaybone2315

Its just an honest observation. Any non-blinded bears homer should agree.

Packers lose to the Lions last week cause Rodgers gets hurt. Matt flynn is starting this week. And on top of that, minnesota has to play their first outdoor game at home in like 60 years with their 3rd string QB.

Sounds like the bears run good imo.

Plus the win that should've been an L to the Lions early in the season and other games where the Bears have caught a ton of breaks. Jaybone tellin the truth here

& the vikes being dumbasses and playing outside hurts them wayyyy more then Bears this week so Chi catches another break. And I love what Briggs said about league spouting off about they want to protect the players and now they have to play on this hard ass surface. Definitely speaking the truth on that topic as Ward did recently