Aaron Rodgers hopes to play Sunday

GREEN BAY – Without making a declarative statement about Sunday, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made it clear on Wednesday.

Asked about his confidence in QB backup DeShone Kizer if Rodgers could not play this week against Minnesota, the MVP double simply said, "I did not even think about that.

So yes, Rodgers does intend to prepare his body to play. After returning from a knee injury to lead a Green Bay rally from 20 points behind Chicago, Rodgers did not practice Wednesday because of what he called a "knee sprain", but he feels better every day.

As for knowing he should train to exit the Lambeau Field Tunnel Sunday against the Vikings, Rodgers gave another simple answer: "No".

Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer will definitely expect to see number 12. In a Green Bay media conference, Zimmer thought of Rodgers' status: "he's walking on the water, so I'm sure he will play.

Having played with a significant amount of pain against the Bears, measuring one's ability to play returns to mobility. He does not expect to leave the pocket and extend the games as he often does, but as long as he can move and slip into the pocket to create launching lanes, he is confident that he can play well.

"The small circle that I was moving Sunday night, if I can come back, hopefully a little better, without pain, then I hope to be able to go," he said.

Rodgers had left knee problems at the age of 16, having undergone numerous surgeries over the past two decades. It is therefore unnecessary to address some measure of discomfort in this knee, although this is significant.

"I want to play, of course," he said. "Just take it one day at a time, see what it's like tomorrow, see what it's like Friday, Saturday, and hope it's ready for Sunday."

One of its first receivers, Davante Adams, adopts the same approach. Adams was out of the field on Wednesday with a shoulder injury at the end of his 51-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Bears.

As with Rodgers, the adrenaline in play helped Adams play throughout the match and he landed a touchdown pass to three games after being hit in the shoulder. He called the injury "minor" and "feels good" to be ready to leave on Sunday.

Adams, with 88 yards, and Randall Cobb, with 142 yards, accounted for about two-thirds of the Packers' yard yards in the Bears win.

This was in part due to Chicago's game plan against tight winger Jimmy Graham, who only caught two passes for 8 yards in his debut at Green Bay. But Graham's impact on the game was still significant.

Rodgers said the Bears often used a linebacker to keep Graham off the line of scrimmage, disrupting his course and timing. The Bears' attention to Graham helped create opportunities for Adams, Cobb and Geronimo Allison, each of whom had at least five receptions and one TD.

"It was a big part of their plan, not to allow him to get into the field, and then, when we were in the red zone, to double it," Rodgers said of Graham. "It just opens up for everyone.

"It's a long season. You do not know who will be the night each time you tie it.

Facing the defense of Minnesota is difficult enough, but the challenge is growing of course with a less mobile Rodgers. The Vikings took first-place defenses in both yards and points last season, and the whole thing is back, in addition to veteran defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson and rookie cornerback Mike Hughes.

The Vikings will put pressure on the quarterback of all levels – Alviers Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter, linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, and goalkeeper Harrison Smith all have their moments in the opposite fields – but Rodgers said it would be a mistake of thinking could play Sunday would be with short quick passes.

These types of games were not the only reason for the return to the Bears, although they certainly played a role.

"You saw the other night, just because I did not escape to the pocket, I was still moving in the pocket, subtle movements," Rodgers said. "It does not mean you have to take the ball out right away. We play an excellent defense, but no, I do not think it forces you to go fast. "

That the Vikings do something different in terms of defense because of the limitations of Rodgers could be the biggest question that remains on Sunday.