Coach McCarthy on Rodgers, Injuries, and Packers Defense

Aaron Rodgers (left) sits on the bench next to quarterback Matt Flynn (10). Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a 22-21 victory at home over the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers‘ head coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media on Monday.

For a sixth week in a row Aaron Rodgers‘ health was the central issue of the coach’s press conference. The Packers got their first win this year without no. 12 in the lineup, but all eyes continue to be on Rodgers’ recovery.

Collarbone fractures don’t heal overnight, and McCarthy reiterated the patience required during the process of clearing the Packers’MVP quarterback to play.

"Rodgers [is] still not medically cleared. But he will workout Tuesday and be evaluated on Wednesday . . . He felt better on Friday than he did on Thursday."

McCarthy did say Rodgers looks good and is feeling better but the Packers starting quarterback still has “hurdles to get over” before he can be cleared to play medically.

Those hurdles are most likely how comfortable the Green Bay medical staff feels about Rodgers’ chances of re-injuring the collarbone if he was to play and get hit in a game.

The Packers’ doctors simply won’t allow Rodgers back on the field to further risk his career. Wednesday will be a big day for Rodgers and the Packers’ hopes for the playoffs this season.

In the mean time, McCarthy told the media he was going to prepare Matt Flynn as the starter this week just in case Rodgers isn’t cleared to play Sunday in Dallas.

McCarthy was pleased with Flynn’s performance in Sunday’s win against Atlanta.

"Matt was able to get in a rhythm . . . Completion percentage was 75%, and that includes three or four drops. He threw the ball very well."

McCarthy also addressed other player injuries. He said he was pleased with Randall Cobb‘s workout on Monday. The third-year receiver is still not cleared to play, but according to Coach McCarthy, he’s able to do a lot more this week than last week.

Cobb seems close to returning, but it probably won’t happen this week against Dallas. If the Packers are still in the playoff hunt coming off the Dallas game then we could see Cobb back against Pittsburg.

Eddie Lacy, according to McCarthy, suffered a sprained ankle just before halftime. McCarthy did say it was too early to tell if the Packers rookie running back will be ready to start against Dallas on Sunday, but it seems likely that he will considering he came back in the second half to finish out the game against Atlanta.

Brad Jones appears to be doing better than they initially thought, according to McCarthy, and should play this Sunday. The team is still doing evaluations on Jamari Lattimore, so there hasn’t been a determination made yet on wether he’ll be able to return.

Finally, McCarthy said he was pleased with the way his defense played in the win at home, especially in the second half. After giving up two touchdowns in the second quarter, the Packers defense shutout Atlanta’s offense the remainder of the game.

McCarthy said Johnny Jolly “had his best game of the year,” and that he was pleased with the way Sean Richardson came in and played at safety. Richardson replaced starter M.D. Jennings in the second quarter after Jennings missed an open field tackle and allowed the Atlanta receiver to score.

"I thought [Richardson] played well on special teams and defense. Brings some energy and attitude. He may get some more snaps this week."

The Packers are definitely looking for improved play at their safety position. Maybe, Richardson can be the answer.

Check back in at Lombardiave.com for more Packers updates throughout the week.