Packers QB Rodgers preps to play Panthers

Packers coach Mike McCarthy says quarterback Aaron Rodgers is getting ready to play against the Panthers this weekend. Rodgers missed the last seven games after breaking his right collarbone in Week 6 at Minnesota.

The two- time NFL MVP is eligible to be activated Friday, eight weeks after initially going on injured reserve.

“The strength and the flexibility came back the quickest,” Rodgers said after practice Wednesday. “It was just waiting on the bone to be ready to play.”

That clearance finally came on Tuesday night. He didn’t want to go into detail about how much his surgically repaired collarbone had healed.

Goodell, Jones moving on

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he didn’t take it personally when powerful Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones tried to scuttle his contract extension.

The new five- year contract had been in place for a week before the latest owners meetings.

Jones has denied the dispute was tied to star running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six- game suspension.

Peterson’s season in doubt

Adrian Peterson’s status for the rest of this season is in jeopardy.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he wasn’t sure if the running back will return from the neck injury that Peterson suffered on Nov. 26 against the Jaguars. Peterson has rushed for 529 yards with two touchdowns this season.

Rams WR Woods ready to return

Veteran receiver Robert Woods plans to return from a three- game absence when the Rams visit the Seahawks. Woods has been sidelined by a shoulder injury since getting hurt in a loss to Minnesota on Nov. 19. The USC product was the Rams’ leading receiver at the time with 47 catches for 703 yards.

More injury news

Rookie running back Alvin Kamara, safety Kenny Vaccaro and utility offensive lineman Senio Kelemete were listed as fully participating in practice by the Saints.

The Broncos placed linebacker Justin Simmons on injured reserve because of a sprained left ankle.

Falcons great Nobis dies

Tommy Nobis, the first player ever drafted by Atlanta in 1966 and a hard- hitting linebacker who spent his entire 11- year career with the Falcons, died at age 74 after an extended illness. He was also a twoway college standout who helped Texas win the national title in 1963.

After being drafted out of Texas with the first overall pick by the expansion Falcons, Nobis was picked as rookie of the year and earned the first of five Pro Bowl selections.

Sun- Times wires