The Packers have an interesting decision to make about Aaron Rodgers

Almost immediately after finishing his last dose of magic, surprising a national audience and everyone at Lambeau Field last Sunday, Aaron Rodgers did not hesitate to state unequivocally that the injury he had suffered at the knee left do not keep the alignment of Green Bay Packers even for a single game.

Rodgers told NBC in a post-game interview that he would definitely play this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in Green Bay.

"I'm playing next week," Rodgers said unambiguously.

[Aaron Rodgers showed again Sunday night just how ridiculously good he is]

But things were not so clear. It is said that Rodgers knee is painful and he was registered as not practicing Wednesday or Thursday. Rodgers said in the middle of the week that he was hoping to play against the Vikings. But he no longer spoke for sure and coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that nothing is final.

"This is not a ploy," McCarthy said at his press conference. "That's why it's a daily situation."

McCarthy, Rodgers and the Packers must make a decision so early in the season. There is not much to suggest that the Packers could beat the Vikings – perhaps their main opponent this season in the NFC North – without Rodgers, perhaps the most indispensable player in the league. Losing a home game against such a formidable divisional opponent could end up being a major setback in the playoff race over the next few months.

But having the MVP twice emerge with its knee in a worse state or suffer more bad luck because of its reduced mobility would be much worse. Rodgers, normally agile, was so in the bag when he returned to the field against the Bears that some observers first asked if playing it was safe. Sitting Rodgers this weekend would it be wise?

"It's a long season," Rodgers said when he met with members of the media on Wednesday. "You hate that you're dealing with something like that the first week. But you feel similar to this week 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 …. You will be bumped at some point. Obviously, I took care of the foot, calf, hamstring and lower limb injuries and played them. I hope that I will be able to go back there Sunday. "

Rodgers mentioned his injury as a sprained knee. He left the field during the first half against the Bears and, after being examined in the medical tent, was removed from the field on a cart. Backup DeShone Kizer took over and the offense of Green Bay seemed outclassed. But Rodgers came back at half-time and threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter as the Packers defeated 20-0 to impose 24-23. It was legendary things.

"It's very painful," said Rodgers mid-week. "And you just have to suck it and play it. If you watch the movie, there are a number of times where I put on weight, thrown it and got it like a jerk. It was painful. Being in this [locker] room, you have to be hard mentally and physically. I had just the opportunity to show that I was physically tough enough.

The Packers adjusted their offensive approach in the second half against the Bears. Rodgers wasted no time taking the ball out of his hand with fast play, helping to neutralize a Chicago run led by Khalil Mack, who dominated the first half.

It may have also helped Rodgers experience the mechanics of throwing the ball with a diseased left knee that suffered an ACL tear in high school.

"When you have knee pain at [age] 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, so yes, you have to adjust a bit like you do, "said Rodgers. "Fortunately, doc cleaned up a few years after the season and it's been great since. But yes, it certainly affects some of the first mechanics who become behaviors acquired on the ground. "

Rodgers said he could play Sunday even though he was not practicing all week, and McCarthy agreed. Rodgers has expressed contempt for painkillers and said he'll be fine if he can move a little in his pocket, even if he does not have the ability to run to save time when needed.

"Circulate a little circle, the little circle I was moving Sunday night," Rodgers said. "If I can come back, I hope for a little better than that, without pain, so hopefully I can go."

One wonders if that will be enough for the Vikings, who led the NFL in total and who scored points last season. Last season, Minnesota linebacker Anthony Barr beat Rodgers's collarbone, making him miss nine games as the Packers missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Largely in response to Barr's strike on Rodgers, the NFL has insisted officials this season that they should penalize shots on which a defender lands on a quarter with all or part of his weight.

With Rodgers on the field, this promises to be a leading match for early control of the division. This is an important test early in the season for Kirk Cousins. The quarter signed a $ 84 million, three-year, fully secured contract through the free agency.

[Kirk Cousins’s arrival has given the Vikings Super Bowl expectations. Can he deliver?]

Without Rodgers, it is not clear if the Packers could be competitive. They have a record of 6-11-1 without Rodgers since he became the starter, against 95-48 in the regular season. There is a very good reason why the Packers just made Rodgers the highest paid player in the league with a $ 134 million four-year contract extension; they are a competitor with him and a suitor without him.

Last season, things went completely blank when Brett Hundley was forced to play. Now, the double is Kizer, obtained in an off-season trade after struggling last season as a rookie beginner in Cleveland while the Browns left without a win.

"Obviously, you want to be there," Rodgers said. "I was not very mobile there in the second half. I've played like this, unfortunately, a few times in my career. I hope that I can be there. "

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