Aaron Rodgers is trying to put the calf injury that’s limiting to him to the back of his mind.
He may be able to, in part, because he’s done it before.
Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy recalled a game in his first year as a starter, when he played without practicing the week of a game because of a dislocated shoulder. He had to convince coaches then he could play the morning of the game wearing a restrictive harness.
“The Atlanta game, to me, was a big hurdle for Aaron and a big hurdle for any coach when you go through it for the first time with your quarterback,” McCarthy said of that 2008 game against the Falcons, via Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com. “But to be able to play through that – I don’t think any of us thought he was going to play. He really pushed himself to get back onto the field. That was a big moment, not only for him but for our football team. And that’s what you’ve seen from him since then.
“So it’s an experience you can draw from. I think he’s learned to play with different things, throughout his career. He’s just very smart about it.”
Rodgers said he’s learned over the years how much he can push himself during the week, knowing he still needs the practice time.
“It affected me more as a young starter because the more reps you take, the better you’re going to play. And the more looks you get at something – certain plays or defenses – the better you’re going to play,” Rodgers said during his weekly radio show. “As I’m in my seventh year starting, 10th year in the league, I think those reps become a little bit less important as far as being able to play on Sunday without practicing.”
While Rodgers was able to push through the pain before, following Brett Favre might have played a psychological role. Now, he’s able to know how to work around the practice time, but still has a crew of young teammates who don’t have his experience to consider.