We'll likely know in a few short hours if Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday, but the tea leaves point to another week on the bench.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport noted Friday that no one he's talked with believes the Green Bay Packers quarterback will be medically cleared to start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A green light for Rodgers would be a "surprise," Rapoport tweeted, one day after the passer did some quarterback-center exchange work with practice squad center Garth Gerhart while Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien worked with the first team.
Mike McCarthy, scheduled to meet with reporters Friday, said Thursday that Rodgers looked sharp and ready to play. It's clear the coach would love to have general manager Ted Thompson and team physician Patrick McKenzie flip the switch for a game that will help decide whether or not the Packers venture into January play.
Sidelined since suffering a fractured collarbone against the Chicago Bearslast month, Rodgers has been nothing more than a limited participant in recent practices. Barring something stunning out of Green Bay, Packers fans are in for another generous helping of Flynn on Sunday.
We examine coaches on the hot seat and chat with Packers guard Josh Sitton on the latest "Around The League Podcast."