Rodgers sharp in Lambeau return
The ovation moved Aaron Rodgers to tears.
Green Bay Packers fans showed their appreciation with the two-time NFL MVP about to take his first snaps at Lambeau Field in almost a year. Once he got behind center, Rodgers needed just one drive to look right at home back in Titletown.
Rodgers connected with tight end Jimmy Graham for an 8-yard score , and Tramon Williams had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage of the Packers’ 51-34 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
“The biggest thing, the goal tonight with Aaron in that first drive was to get the ball in the end zone,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “And I thought we did a nice job.”
The response from fans seemed just as meaningful to Rodgers.
He was 2 of 4 for 35 yards in his first game at Lambeau since Sept. 28. He broke his collarbone two weeks later at Minnesota, an injury that doomed the Packers in a 7-9 season.
“To be back at Lambeau was a thrill and the ovation touched me,” Rodgers said. “I have to kind of wipe away some tears in my eyes.”
Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger watched from the sideline in shorts and a T-shirt. He and second-stringer Landry Jones had already been ruled out for the game when Roethlisberger left a training camp practice on Tuesday with a possible concussion.
Eagles: Quarterback Nick Foles left Thursday’s game against the New England Patriots with a shoulder strain, and did not return.
T he Su p er Bowl MVP appeared to be in pain when he was hit by Patriots defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn in the right arm as he reared back to throw in the first half. The ball popped loose, and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley scooped it up and ran it back for a 54-yard touchdown.
Third-stringer Nate Sudfeld took over at quarterback on the Eagles’ next possession.
Foles took over for starter Carson Wentz last season and took Philadelphia to the Super Bowl, beating the Patriots 41-33. Wentz is expected to return to 11-on-11 drills next week, but it’s not certain he will be ready for the regular- season opener.
Jets: Quarterback Sam Darnold, the third overall pick, made his first exhibition start for the Jets on Thursday and showed some of the growing pains of a rookie by throwing an interception, taking two sacks and having a couple of balls batted out of the air. Darnold was 8 of 11 for 62 yards in the first half before giving way to Teddy Bridgewater in a game the Jets lost to the Washington Redskins 15-13 on a last-sec- ond field goal.
Raiders: Coach Jon Gruden called off practice Thursday, ending training camp a day earlier than planned. The switch gives the players an extra day of rest before Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Broncos: John Elway might need a veteran backup quarterback, but one man he won’t call is Colin Kaepernick .
“Colin had his chance to be here,” Elway said Thursday.
“We offered him a con- tract. He didn’t take it.”