Play.
Should the Packers allow Rodgers to play in Week 18?
Mike Tannenbaum doesn't think the Packers will let Rodgers play against the Lions. The song is called "2:20."
3:20 PM
Don't tell Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur that Sunday's regular-season finale at the Detroit Lions is meaningless.
His decision to play Rodgers confirms that.
While it's not a given that Rodgers will play the entire game, LaFleur said Friday that he sees no reason to change his plan to start the quarterback at 1 p.m. The time is later.
"I don't think he needs to play," LaFleur said. I don't think he needs to play because he's proven that throughout the course of the season, that he doesn't have much practice and still goes out there and plays at a high level. I think he wants to play. I think he wants to keep going.
Rodgers practiced twice this week, his first time working more than one day in a week since he broke his toe.
"Obviously there's risk every time you step onto the field, whether it's a game field or a practice field, in everything you do," LaFleur said. We want to make sure we're smart. I can't think of anything that would take him off the field right now.
If Rodgers finishes in the top three in the league, he could earn $100,000 in contract incentives in each of the five categories. He's tied for third with 35 touchdown passes and fourth with completion percentages. He has the highest passer rating and interception percentage in the league.
Next week, the Packers will have a bye, and then will host a game in the playoffs. Over the past week, LaFleur said that he didn't think it was wise to sit key players in the finale and not play them in the game.
"It's important to keep going," LaFleur said. Every time we step out on that field, our guys go out there with the mentality that we want to win, and we're going to do everything in our power to do that."
Rodgers wants to play.
Rodgers said it was more about keeping the momentum going and wanting to be out there with the guys competing. I know there are players who could return this week, but I don't know what their status is. Guys want to play if they are healthy. Every time you play, there's risk. I want to be with my guys and that's why there's the idea about rust. I'm assuming that's still the plan.
Two-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Josh Myers are two players who could return.
If he's going to be available for the playoffs, the Packers would prefer to get him some work on Sunday. He tore the anterior cruciateeum in his left knee. He was a full participant Friday after practicing twice this week.
"Here's a guy who hasn't played in over a year," LaFleur said. Is it possible to see him out there? Absolutely. I want to make sure that he's in the right mindset and that he can protect himself, but also that he's fully functional. He's coming off an injury. We just want to make sure everything is perfect before we put him out there.
He underwent surgery after he injured his knee in Week 6.
LaFleur said that Randall Cobb will not return Sunday to give him two more weeks to recover from his surgery.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who hasn't played since Week 4 because of a shoulder injury, returned from the COVID-19 list Friday but will not make his game return Sunday because, LaFleur said, "Just having the one day this week, I don't want to put
