Yes, the Packers are allowing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to take it easy this week.
But no, there’s no danger of him missing Sunday’s game against the Bears.
Via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Rodgers said the right calf muscle that kept him out of practice yesterday and will today is a problem, but not one that will keep him off the field this weekend.
“It’ll be about pain management on Sunday, but the good thing is I’ll be out there,” Rodgers said. “I’ll be out there and ready.”
Rodgers had been nursing a left hamstring injury since late November, but had been at least limited in practice. Not participating at all yesterday was new, but he’s dealt with calf injuries before (specifically, late in 2014) so he knows the drill. And since he injured himself on the third play of last week’s rout of the Seahawks, it’s clear he can play and play well despite the injury.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of injuries over the years, and you just learn about pain management and how to keep yourself in the best shape to play on Sunday, and then playing with pain,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, I hurt it on the third play of the game and had to gut it out through some very difficult pain speaking to me at times and obviously slowing me down with some of the stuff I’m good at moving in the pocket or outside the pocket.”
A limited Rodgers is better than any of their other options, and having him on the field will be critical to their playoff chase.