Knee problem keeps Rodgers on sidelines

Green Bay returned to the practice field Wednesday but quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not participate and stayed at Lambeau Field to rehab.

Asked whether it was accurate to say his injury was a sprained knee, Rodgers said, “Sure, say sprained knee.”

If Rodgers can’t play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the Packers would turn to DeShone Kizer, who accounted for two turnovers after coming in when Rodgers was injured in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears in the season opener.

Rodgers was taken to the locker room on a cart but took over on the first series of the second half and threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally the Packers from 20 points down to a 24-23 victory.

Rehabbing on Wednesday was not a setback, coach Mike McCarthy said.

“I think anytime a player comes off a game where he’s injured, obviously there’s the hope of playing,” McCarthy said.

“We’ll give him the whole week to get ready. So we’ll take it day by day and learn as we go.”

Rodgers said he was feeling progressively better over the last couple of days. The 14year veteran said he does not need to practice to play.

Roethlisberger hopes to play

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hopes his balky right elbow will be good to go Sunday against Kansas City.

Roethlisberger said he banged his elbow on Pittsburgh’s next-to-last offensive snap during a 21-21 overtime tie with the Cleveland Browns. He fumbled on the next play after getting hit by linebacker Genard Avery.

Roethlisberger has sat out only six games because of injury since the start of the 2013 season.

Titans’ Mariota to face Texans

Quarterback Marcus Mariota practiced after being knocked out of the Tennessee Titans’ season opener because of an injury to his right (throwing) arm.

Barring any setbacks, coach Mike Vrabel said he expects Mariota to play Sunday against Houston.

Mariota said after the game that he experienced numbness in his right hand. Fournette sits out Jaguars practice

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette sat out practice because of a strained right hamstring.

Fournette tweaked the hamstring in the first half of the Jaguars’ 20-15 seasonopening victory at the New York Giants.

The fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft ran nine times for 41 yards before leaving. He caught three passes for 14 yards.

Coach Doug Marrone said the plan is for Fournette to rest before testing the hamstring Friday. The Jaguars host the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Receiver Bryant signs with Raiders

Two days after their passing game went flat in the second half of a 23-13 seasonopening loss to the Rams, the Oakland Raiders completed a deal bringing back receiver Martavis Bryant.

Bryant, who was with the Raiders in training camp after being acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh before getting released on the final day of roster cutdowns, signed a oneyear contract and rejoined the team for practice.

Coach Jon Gruden said it’s possible Bryant could play Sunday in Denver.

Dolphins’ Sitton sits out practice

Miami Dolphins guard Josh Sitton didn’t practice because of a shoulder injury that could force him to sit out Sunday’s game at the New York Jets.

Sitton signed an $18-million, two-year deal with the Dolphins last offseason.