Packers: Aaron Rodgers could return to practice on Sunday

Aaron Rodgers could return to practice on Sunday.

Rodgers missed the Green Bay Packers‘ second preseason game as he was dealing with back tightness, but he could be back for the team’s next practice on Sunday.

“That’s the plan,” head coach Matt LaFleur said on Friday. “A lot of it is going to be predicated on how he feels.”

This suggests Rodgers missed Thursday’s game as a precaution rather than the injury being a concern.

LaFleur was also asked during the press conference if the playing surface will determine whether Rodgers is in action next week against the Oakland Raiders. LaFleur said they will “evaluate the surface before we play the game”. The game is at IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Rodgers was on the sideline during Thursday’s preseason game, but was one of the only starters not to feature for the Packers. The starting offensive line was out there in the first quarter, but the Packers were still without running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, who have both been out with hamstring injuries.

Jones has been back at practice, but the Packers continue to ease him back into action, and there was no point risking him in this game.

The best opportunity for Rodgers to get some preseason action will be next week against the Raiders. The third preseason game is often when teams play their starters for the longest in August, and it can be used as the main warmup contest for the regular season.

We’ll see whether that is LaFleur’s plan, or whether the starters will only be on the field for a couple of series.

But the main thing is Rodgers’ health for the regular season. If that means missing the remaining two preseason games, so be it. The good news is that he should be back at practice soon.