Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is scheduled for a check-up Tuesday that will determine the extent of his recovery from a fractured collarbone.
One month removed from the injury suffered against the Chicago Bears, Rodgers is hopeful of being cleared for contact after resuming position drills in practice last week.
The Packers are winless without Rodgers and out of the current playoff picture entering Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. They lost 40-10 to the Lions last week, following a tie with Minnesota and two 14-point losses (to the Eagles and Giants).
Head coach Mike McCarthy said two days before Green Bay was trounced at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day that the timing of the All-Pro passer’s return would be a medical decision.
NFL Network reported Sunday that Rodgers was a long shot to return in Week 14, even suggesting the Packers were closer to shutting him down for the remainder of the 2013 season than putting him back on the field.
Without Rodgers, a dominant ground game has been reduced to a below-average because of shaky quarterback play from Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn. They have combined for two touchdown passes, six interceptions and 10 sacks in 146 attempts. Rodgers had 15 touchdown passes, four picks and was sacked 18 times in 251 attempts before he was hurt Nov. 4.