The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with plenty of injury issues heading into Week 6, but the Green Bay Packers have a big concern of their own. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been dealing with a knee injury since Week 1, and he said on Thursday that he had a setback last week against the Detroit Lions (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky).
“Yeah, kind of a setback last week, the beginning of the week,” Rodgers said. “Got to be in the rehab group again today, got a lot of good work in with Nate and just hoping I get back out there tomorrow and have a feel-good Friday and a practice [Sunday] and be good to go -- hopefully back to where I was in Detroit.”
Rodgers sat out Thursday’s practice, but sitting out the first practice of the week has been a regular feature of the past month. Last week, he sat out Wednesday and then was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. The week before he was a Wednesday DNP and then limited on Thursday and Friday. However, with this “setback” he might be back to a limited status.
It seems all but certain he will play on Monday, but the big question for now is if he will have to change braces. He wore a smaller brace last week than he had the previous three weeks, but he might need to move back to the bigger knee brace for Monday.
“I hope not,” Rodgers said. “The goal would be to wear the same brace I wore last week, but I have a lot of faith in our training staff and we’re going to [use] the brace we feel is most safe and allowing me to do exactly what I’m able to do on Monday.”
Rodgers has been able to put up some quality numbers in spite of the injuries, but if the 49ers want a chance in this one, a slowed down Rodgers would be a big help. The Packers run game has been shaky primarily due to Jamaal Willliams’ struggles and the decision to not use Aaron Jones nearly enough. If Rodgers is slowed down this week, maybe the Packers go to the ground game a bit more. That’s been an area where the 49ers defense has found some success, so maybe this sets the 49ers up in a position to keep this thing close.
Here’s the Packers full injury report for Thursday.
DNP: TE Jimmy Graham (knee), QB Aaron Rodgers (knee)
Limited: CB Jaire Alexander (groin), WR Geronimo Allison (hamstring), CB Bashaud Breeland (hamstring), S Kentrell Brice (ankle), WR Randall Cobb (hamstring), G Justin McCray (shoulder), LB Nick Perry (ankle), S Jermaine Whitehead (back)
Full: CB Kevin King (chin)