Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers misses practice to focus on recovery

Published Dec. 20, 2016 3:48 p.m. ET

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers will miss Green Bay Packers practice on Wednesday to focus on rehabbing his leg injuries, a plan that coach Mike McCarthy says will likely stay in place for the quarterback through Thursday.

But signs point to Rodgers still being ready to play Sunday in Chicago. McCarthy says that Rodgers told him not to hold anything back for the game plan against the Bears as Green Bay seeks a fourth consecutive victory and a spot in the playoffs.

Rodgers hurt his left hamstring a few weeks ago against the Philadelphia Eagles. He hurt his right calf while throwing a 66-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams on the third play of Sunday's 38-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

McCarthy said he's planning for the Bears game similarly to how he prepared for Seattle.

The Packers (7-6) have won three straight heading into a three-game stretch to end the regular season against NFC North foes. Tied with Minnesota for second at two games behind Detroit, Green Bay needs help to return to the playoffs an eighth straight season.

The leg injuries have limited Rodgers' mobility. The two-time NFL MVP was still able to dissect the Seattle defense for 246 yards passing and three touchdowns before leaving early in the fourth quarter with the Packers leading by four scores.

"Oh yeah, I mean, Aaron Rodgers is as tough as anybody I've ever known," McCarthy said.

He recalled one instance in Rodgers' first season as the starter in 2008 sprained his right shoulder in a game against Tampa on Sept. 28. McCarthy wasn't sure how limited Rodgers' arm might be the next week against Atlanta.

Then late in the first quarter of the Falcons game, McCarthy called a deep shot to Donald Driver on third-and-1, briefly forgetting about Rodgers' injury. Rodgers hit the pass, finishing 25 of 37 for 313 yards and three touchdowns.

"That was a big moment for him and he's done that so many times now, probably things that may not seem as big," McCarthy said. "His focus, it's extraordinary."