NFL Player News

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said quarterback Aaron Rodgers will split time Thursday between rehabbing his calf injury and practicing with the team, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Rodgers sat out practice Wednesday, but McCarthy doesn't seem concerned about his availability for Sunday's playoff game against the Cowboys.

"I plan on Aaron playing Sunday," McCarthy said Wednesday. "Aaron is totally into the game plan. He's taken all the reps in the walk-throughs. Mentally, he's right on top of it."

The Packers remain 6-point favorites for Sunday's divisional playoff game.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy indicated Wednesday quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on track to start Sunday's divisional playoff game against the Cowboys, despite missing practice Wednesday due to a lingering calf injury.

"I plan on Aaron playing Sunday," McCarthy said. "Today's schedule was for him to stay exclusively in the training room. Aaron is totally into the game plan. He's taken all the reps in the walk-throughs. Mentally, he's right on top of it."

Backup quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien took the reps in practice Wednesday with Rodgers sidelined. The Packers are 6-point favorites for Sunday's playoff game.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was absent from the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media. Backup quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien were taking all the reps as the team is preparing for Sunday's divisional playoff game against the Cowboys.

Rodgers indicated he might miss practice time this week because of a lingering calf injury. However, it doesn't appear the injury will keep him sidelined for Sunday's game.

"It feels better," Rodgers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday. "We'll see what happens this week, as far as practice reps. Everybody's so concerned about them. I'm not. And my teammates aren't either. We'd like to get out there at some point and move around a little bit. It just depends on how I'm feeling."

The Packers are 6-point favorites for Sunday's playoff game.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers might miss practice time this week due to his injured calf, but he doesn't think that will hinder him Sunday against the Cowboys.

"It feels better," Rodgers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We'll see what happens this week, as far as practice reps. Everybody's so concerned about them. I'm not. And my teammates aren't either. We'd like to get out there at some point and move around a little bit. It just depends on how I'm feeling."

Rodgers has been getting treatment, including acupuncture, and will be evaluated by doctors Wednesday, the paper said. Rodgers said "there's always a chance" he could practice some Wednesday.

Green Bay is a 6-point home favorite.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy is expressing no concern about quarterback Aaron Rodgers' calf injury, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Rodgers is progressing and has a "hip in his hop," the coach said.

Rodgers will be evaluated Wednesday morning, at which time the team will chart his practice plan. Even if Rodgers misses some practice time this week, McCarthy isn't worried about the offense losing any timing, the paper said.

"Look at the way he played in the second half of the Detroit game," McCarthy said. "He's learned to play through different situations. He has continuity with his teammates. But the way he progresses, he's a quick healer. ... He'll be in pretty good shape come Sunday."

Green Bay is a 6-point home favorite over Dallas in Sunday's divisional playoff game.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday the team will have quarterback Aaron Rodgers evaluated by team doctors this Wednesday to set up his practice plan for the week.

Rodgers did not participate in practice last week so he could receive treatment on his ailing calf injury. He was not expected to return to practice before Thursday of this week. 

The Packers are currently 6 1/2-point favorites against the Cowboys in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 28 of his 42 pass attempts for 323 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his team's 24-20 loss to the Cowboys in Sunday's Wild Card game.

Stafford put his team out to a quick lead, connecting with Golden Tate on a 51-yard touchdown less than five minutes into the game. He then drove the team down for another touchdown later in the quarter to give the Lions a big lead. Stafford's interception came on a batted ball on the first play of the second half, but it didn't cost the Lions after Dan Bailey missed a 41-yard field goal on the ensuing drive. However, the Lions offense mustered just a field goal through the entire second half and watched the Cowboys score 17 unanswered points to take the win.

The game was not without controversey, as a fourth-quarter flag against the Cowboys for pass interference on a pass from Stafford to Brandon Pettigrew was picked up after the penalty was announced, with no explanation given as to why the call was waved off. The noncall came on third-and-1 near midfield, and the ensuing shanked punt set the Cowboys up with great field position on what would turn out to be the go-ahead touchdown drive. Stafford acknowledged to media after the game that he believed the pass-inference call should have stood.

For the fourth straight year, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton came up short in the playoffs. Dalton hit 18 of 35 passes for only 155 yards in Sunday's 26-10 playoff loss at Indianapolis. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception, and lost a fumble getting sacked.

Dalton was hamstrung playing without No. 1 wideout A.J. Green (concussion) and tight end Jermaine Gresham (back), two of his top three targets. Dalton's longest completion went 26 yards to running back Rex Burkhead, who moved to receiver due to the injuries.

It was a disappointing, but predictable ending for Dalton after he put up pedestrian numbers in the regular season. Dalton accounted for 23 touchdowns (four rushing) and 19 turnovers.

The Cowboys have listed the following players as inactive for Sunday's Wild Card game against the Lions: tackles Doug Free (ankle) and Donald Hawkins, quarterback Dustin Vaughan, linebackers Keith Smith and James Anderson, safety Jakar Hamilton and defensive end Kenneth Boatright.

Free was listed as doubtful to play in the first-round playoff game. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens (ankle) and defensive end Tyrone Crawford (illness) are both active after being listed as questionable. The Cowboys will have all nine players listed as probable available Sunday.

Dallas is a 6-point favorite at home against Detroit in the first-round playoff matchup.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday in his press conference quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still receiving treatment for his calf injury and doesn't expect to see him on the field until Thursday. 

"Aaron is doing well. He's been in treatment during the practice period," McCarthy said. "We'll do the same tomorrow. I really don't see him getting on the practice field until Thursday at the earliest."

Rodgers injured his calf in Week 17 against the Lions while throwing a touchdown pass to Randall Cobb. He left the game briefly but was able to return in the second half. 

The Packers will play Jan. 11 against the highest-seeded team left in the NFC playoffs.