GREEN BAY – Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed practice Wednesday due to a knee injury from getting sacked in Miami, but he doesn’t expect it to keep him off the field at all the rest of the week.
“I think I’ll be out there (Thursday) … business as usual,” Rodgers said following the first day of on-field preparations for this Sunday’s home game vs. Minnesota.
The injury occurred on a second-quarter sack near Green Bay’s goal line in the second quarter on Christmas, when a Dolphins defender landed awkwardly on Rodgers’ knee.
Rodgers played the rest of the game without incident but could tell fluid was building up in the knee on the plane flight back. He’s been rehabbing since and took “a nice little veteran day” Wednesday to rest it, working with the training staff during the early portion of practice before heading out to the field to observe the second half.
In addition to the knee, Rodgers’ thumb injury is still listed on the team’s injury report, but the injury to his ribs from the Philadelphia game a month ago is not. Regardless, he fully expects to play against the Vikings as the Packers’ playoff hopes continue to hang in the balance.
He’s also hoping his good friend and All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari might be returning from his appendectomy this week. Bakhtiari practiced on a limited basis for the first time Wednesday since the surgery four weeks ago, though his status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain.
“It would be great to have him out there,” Rodgers said. “When he’s been out there, he’s been playing at an All-Pro level, which is what we’ve known from him for a long time. So, it definitely can give us a little jolt if he’s out there.”
Right tackle Yosh Nijman, who exited the Miami game with a shoulder injury, also was back at practice on a limited basis. Rookie receiver Christian Watson (hip) and nickelback/returner Keisean Nixon (groin) did not practice, however, and are considered day to day.
The health questions aren’t ideal at this stage, with the Packers needing to win their last two games to stretch their winning streak to five – and hope for a little help – to land a playoff spot.
The team clearly turned a corner a few weeks ago, though, beginning with a strong fourth quarter at Chicago to rally for a win over the Bears. That was followed by a victory over the Rams that Green Bay controlled mostly start to finish, and then a dominant second half at Miami to knock off the playoff-contending Dolphins.
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