Rodgers practices, will start this week
Packers’ star QB, Bills’ Taylor (knee) ready to return.
The Green Bay Packers stayed afloat in the postseason race while hoping for nearly two months Aaron Rodgers would return.
News the two-time NFL MVP was cleared medically to come back from a collarbone injury finally arrived Tuesday night, coming a bit later than coach Mike McCarthy hoped — but well worth the wait for the playoff-hopeful Packers.
Rodgers is in line to start this weekend against the Panthers.
“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 Tuesday night. He didn’t want to go into detail about how much his surgically repaired collarbone had healed. He’s aware of the risks. “Well, we’ve talked about everything, and I’m confident knowing all the information. That’s why I’m going to play,” Rodgers said.
So it’s back to a normal week of preparation for the quarterback after making what McCarthy had considered great progress in rehab since getting hurt against Minnesota on Oct. 15. At the time, the Packers warned that the injury could have ended Rodgers’ season.
The Packers (7-6) went 3-4 with backup Brett Hundley starting to stay in the playoff race, including a 27-21 victory in overtime last weekend over Cleveland. They are one of four teams with at least seven wins chasing Atlanta for the second NFC wild-card berth.
Bills: With his bruised left knee feeling considerably better, Tyrod Taylor stood comfortably at the podium requiring no reminder of the doubts and adversity he’s overcome in preparing to once again reclaim the starting quarterback job.
Taylor would acknowledge enjoying a certain degree of satisfaction in knowing Buffalo’s bid to continue its late-season playoff push rested on him some 10 months after he was nearly cut before agreeing to restructure his contract, and a month after being briefly benched in favor of untested rookie Nathan Peterman.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Taylor said, following practice Wednesday.
Taylor’s immediate focus is Sunday, when Buffalo (7-6) closes its home schedule against Miami (6-7).
Patriots: Signed veteran receiver Kenny Britt. A 2009 first-round pick out of Rutgers, Britt was released by Cleveland last week after failing to deliver on a fouryear, $32.5 million contract in March. He appeared in nine games, catching 18 passes for 233 yards and two TDs.
The Patriots also re-signed defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois. Linebacker Jonathan Freeny and receiver Bernard Reedy were released to make room on the roster. Tackle Marcus Cannon was placed on injured reserve.
Seahawks: With concerns about depth at linebacker, Seattle promoted Paul Dawson off the practice squad and placed offensive lineman Oday Aboushi on injured reserve.
The Seahawks are uncertain of the status of linebackers Bobby Wagner (hamstring) and K.J. Wright (concussion) for Sunday’s key TONIGHT’S GAME BRONCOS AT COLTS TV: NBC/NFL Network Records: Denver 4-9; Indianapolis 3-10
Etc: Broncos snapped eight-game losing streak with win over Jets last week . ... Defense held Jets to 100 yards and got 18th shutout in franchise history.
... Denver is 0-6 on road . ... Indy has been eliminated from playoffs for third straight season. ... Four-game losing streak is longest of coach Chuck Pagano’s six-year tenure with Colts. NFC West matchup against the Rams.
Redskins: Decided to shut down Jordan Reed, putting the tight end on injured reserve after he missed the past six games with a strained right hamstring.
It was another lost season for the oft-injured 27-yearold, who had just 27 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns in six games.
Broncos: Strong safety Justin Simmons’ breakout season is over because of a sprained left ankle he sustained while celebrating a big play by Denver on Sunday in its first victory in two months.
League meetings: Commissioner Roger Goodell twice turned to Jerry Jones on Wednesday when asked about his relationship with the powerful Cowboys owner who tried to scuttle his contract extension.
“Jerry, do I look like I take it personally?” Goodell asked after the second question as Jones, the recent Hall of Fame inductee, winked at him. “‘No’ is the answer to that question.”
A new five-year deal for Goodell had been signed for a week when owners gathered for meetings at a Dallas-area hotel. Goodell overcame the challenge from Jones, who threatened to sue over the extension in a dispute that arose after Goodell’s decision to suspend star Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Tuesday’s Games Wednesday’s games
Clippers 106, (at) Magic 95: Lou Williams scored 31 points and DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 20 rebounds as Los Angeles opened a four-game road trip with its third consecutive victory. Orlando has lost 14 of 17.
(At) Wizards 93, Grizzlies 87: Bradley Beal scored 18 points and John Wall had 13 in his return from a sore knee in Washington’s victory. Beal scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three 3-pointers.
Thunder 100, (at) Pacers 95: Oklahoma City’s Paul George made a winning return to Indiana, hitting the clinching free throws with 10.7 seconds left. The Thunder’s Russell Westbrook finished with 10 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists in his ninth triple-double this season.
(At) Celtics 124, Nuggets 118: Kyrie Irving had 33 points for Boston. Irving added seven assists in his eighth game this season with 30 or more points.
Trail Blazers 102, (at) Heat 95: Damian Lillard scored seven of his 18 points in the final 3:16 as Portland overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to break its five-game losing streak. CJ McCollum scored 28 points for the Trail Blazers.
(At) Pelicans 115, Bucks 108: DeMarcus Cousins had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Anthony Davis added 25 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.
(At) Bulls 103, Jazz 100: Nikola Mirotic scored 29 points, and Kris Dunn hit a clutch jumper with 22 seconds in Chicago’s fourth straight victory.
Raptors 115, (at) Suns 109: DeMar DeRozan matched his season high with 37 points as Toronto earned its seventh victory in its past eight games.
Hornets at Rockets: Late
NBA notes
2021 All-Star Game: Indianapolis will host the 2021 AllStar Game, Commissioner Adam Silver said.
Suns: Guard Isaiah Canaan was signed after team received an injury hardship exemption from the NBA. Under the exemption, the Suns added Canaan because they have four players on the roster out for two weeks or more.
Today’s Games