Green Bay Packers decision on Aaron Rodgers could come as early as today

(12) before the game against the Detroit Lions. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports photograph

One day following a heart-wrenching loss at home to the Pittsburg Steelers, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said a decision on Aaron Rodgers‘ status for the season finale against the Chicago Bears will come early in the week.

"After seeing Aaron practice, Ted Thompson and I need to assess all the information on if it’s time for him to play. Aaron wants to play. He fully understands [the process]. The decision will come sooner than later. Need to make quicker decision for the football team."

In Sunday’s 38-31 loss, two costly turnovers at the quarterback position were the turning points in the game. One has to wonder how many more games the Packers can win with inconsistent play under center.

To Matt Flynn‘s credit, he’s played admirably in Rodgers’ absence, but the division title probably wouldn’t have come down to the last game of the season if Rodgers had been in the lineup in even half the past eight games.

Without their MVP quarterback, the Packers are 2-5-1, and now with the division and playoffs on the line, all Packers Nation waits patiently to hear whether or not Rodgers will suit up against the Bears this week.

In his Monday press conference, McCarthy said the Packers will practice Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday off forChristmas. Meaning, a decision on Rodgers’ status for the week will most likely follow Tuesday’s practice.

It appears McCarthy doesn’t want to drag this thing out until Friday anymore, and as a fan, I’m grateful. It’s just better for everyone if a decision on Rodgers is made early in the week.

Clay Matthews (52) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7). Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

To further complicate things, the Packers may be without other significant players in their season finale.

In Sunday’s loss, Clay Matthews re-injured the thumb he broke back in week five. It’s the same injury that caused him to miss four weeks of the season and has limited him on the field since he returned against Philadelphia in week nine.

"The training staff didn’t feel very good about the injury, so we’re still working through the process."

McCarthy didn’t make it sound very promising that Matthews would return anytime soon. I wouldn’t expect him this week, and his season could be over even if the Packers make the playoffs.

The other player headlining the Packers injury report this week is halfback Eddie Lacy. He further injured his sprained ankle in the third quarter against Pittsburgh. After limping off the field following a two-yard run, Lacy didn’t return in the game.

The ankle has been bothering Lacy since he tweaked it two weeks ago in the win over Atlanta. He’s been an impact player in Green Bay’s offense, despite the injury, but it’s unclear at this point how bad Lacy’s ankle injury really is after he aggravated it Sunday.

According to McCarthy, Lacy won’t practice this week until at least Thursday. The team will probably wait to see how Lacy’s ankle responds to some practice reps before making a decision on his status for the week.

If Lacy isn’t ready to go against Chicago then the Packers will start James Starks. In Lacy’s absence, Starks gained 47 yards rushing on 10 carries against a respectable Pittsburgh defense. Starks is more than capable of being the Packers’ featured back if Lacy can’t suit up.

In other injury news, Mike Neal (ankle), Brad Jones (ankle), and Micah Hyde (shoulder) may all be limited this week in practice after suffering injuries in Sunday’s loss.

Stay tuned here to our reports here at Lombardiave for more Packers injury updates throughout the week.