Injury giving Aaron Rodgers more time to study.
Injury gives rested QB more study time
Green Bay — Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was listed as questionable on the Green Bay Packers’ injury report Friday because of his strained right calf, which puts him on track to play Sunday against the Bears in Chicago.
Coach Mike McCarthy said there have been some benefits to resting Rodgers this week. With more time in the training room and off the practice field, Rodgers was able to start his mental preparation earlier than usual.
“It’s been normal,” McCarthy said, “except for practice. So we still have the same structure in meetings. It’s been more pre-planning for the game earlier than normal, just because of the fact that he’s not on the practice field. In the treatment, he’s able to watch more tape and more conversation going on there Thursday and Friday that you would normally have Friday and Saturday, as far as how you feel the game is going to go.”
Running back James Starks (concussion) and outside linebacker Nick Perry (hand) were listed as doubtful. Starks was in a car crash Monday, but McCarthy said he is feeling all right other than the concussion.
Rodgers was one of eight Packers listed as questionable, joined by receiver Randall Cobb (ankle), running back Christine Michael (illness), fullback Aaron Ripkowski (back), cornerback Damarious Randall (groin), guard/center JC Tretter (knee), outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (hamstring) and inside linebacker Blake Martinez (knee).
Martinez could have a chance to play Sunday for the first time since spraining the MCL in his knee at Washington last month. He has missed the past three games.
“He feels good,” McCarthy said. “Everything’s been real positive from his outlook. So he’ll practice tomorrow, and hopefully he comes through here clean, and hopefully he’ll be available.”
Another thing to watch Sunday: Ty Montgomery is the only running back on the roster who is not on the injury report. He could play a big role against the Bears.
Ready if needed: Brett Hundley isn’t expected to make his fourth appearance of the season Sunday, but he wouldn’t enter the game as a complete unknown if he did play.
After losing most of his preseason to an ankle injury, the Packers’ second-year quarterback has made spot appearances this fall. Hundley played a season-high 11 snaps last Sunday after Rodgers was pulled with the Packers sitting on a big fourth-quarter lead against the Seattle Seahawks.
It was Hundley’s third appearance this season, his first with the Packers holding a lead. Hundley played four snaps apiece at Tennessee and Washington last month.
With Rodgers nursing his calf injury this week and a tight hamstring before that, Hundley has gotten a large chunk of firstteam reps in practice.
“Brett Hundley has had two good weeks of practice,” McCarthy said. “He’s been able to get a lot more reps than he normally does. I thought he was throwing the ball very well, particularly Wednesday. And I thought he threw the ball well outside in the practice we had (Thursday). Which is, based on the weather report, the forecast, yesterday’s practice was very similar to what we’re expecting Sunday.”
The Packers expressed confidence in Hundley should he need to replace Rodgers for any reason Sunday. Hundley will be ready, though it would significantly alter the game plan.
“Obviously you wouldn’t give him the full boat that you would give Aaron,” quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said. “As a young player, I would always want the base plays, and ones I’ve had the most reps on. I think you narrow your focus on what he feels comfortable with.”
Hundley has completed 2 of 9 passes for 22 yards. He hasn’t entered a game in a situation where he would be counted on to run the entire offense. The Packers led, 28-3, when Rodgers was pulled Sunday.
Tutoring Ty: Ben Sirmans was hired to coach Eddie Lacy. His job: whip the Packers’ starting running back into shape.
But things rarely go according to plan in the NFL. Instead of guiding Lacy back to his Pro Bowl form, Sirmans has had to negotiate a revolving depth chart in his first season as the Packers’ running backs coach.
His biggest task has become overseeing Montgomery’s transition to running back. Montgomery hasn’t been in a receivers meeting for months, McCarthy said earlier this week, meaning he has learned on a full-time basis from Sirmans.
“I don’t know if it’s because he’s a Stanford kid,” Sirmans said, referring to Montgomery’s alma mater, “but he’s very, very eager to learn and asks a lot of questions. Even today, he still asks the most questions in there, because he’s trying to learn every facet of his responsibilities.”
Sirmans said Montgomery’s receiving ability is “extremely valuable” at running back, allowing the Packers to put him in favorable matchups.
“I think the biggest thing he’s brought,” Sirmans said, “besides still learning some things about the running back position, is utilizing his skill set as a receiver. He has an understanding of the pass game that other guys don’t.”
Fine time: It was an expensive loss for the Seahawks at Lambeau Field.
Linebacker K.J. Wright was fined $48,620 for his head-hunting shot on Packers tight end Richard Rodgers, which drew a personal foul for unnecessary roughness. Wright’s fine increased because he’s a repeat offender.
Cornerback Richard Sherman was fined $18,321 for his shot against Davante Adams. Sherman hit Adams in the back while the Packers receiver was running a downfield route.
It could have been worse for the Seahawks. Defensive end Cliff Avril was not fined for hitting right guard T.J. Lang below the belt, and cornerback Jeremy Lane wasn’t fined for shoving Cobb on a kneeldown to end the first half.
The Packers were not fined for any infractions Sunday.