Packers: Right decision for Aaron Rodgers to miss Ravens game

Aaron Rodgers will miss the Green Bay Packers’ second preseason game, but this was the right move.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said earlier in the week that the plan was for Aaron Rodgers to play the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in the team’s second preseason game on Thursday night.

But according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Rodgers will sit out of the game due to back tightness.

It’s obviously a concern anytime Rodgers is dealing with any kind of injury, but it’s absolutely the right decision for LaFleur to change the plan and keep Rodgers out of this game. The last thing the team needs is for Rodgers to play in the game, and either worsen the injury or suffer another injury as he’s not at 100 percent.

This would’ve been an ideal game for Rodgers to make his season debut, his first game in LaFleur’s offense, but his health is the top priority. And there will be another good opportunity next Thursday night when the Packers play the Oakland Raiders in Canada.

What will be interesting to see now is whether LaFleur still decides to play more of the starters this week than last week against the Houston Texans. And if so, how long will they play?

As ever, the preseason provides a great opportunity for the young players on the roster to prove themselves ahead of the new year. Many position battles will continue in tonight’s game in what should be a tough test at Baltimore.

Playing with Rodgers would’ve been the ideal situation for the first quarter, but it won’t matter too much if he can get some reps next week against the Raiders.

For now, the number one priority is ensuring he’s fully healthy and ready to go in the regular-season opener three weeks from now.