Green Bay Packers Notebook: Aaron Rodgers Officially Ruled Out For Sunday's Game

After suffering his second concussion of the season Sunday against the Detroit Lions, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been officially ruled out for Sunday night's matchup in New England.

Rodgers sustained his first concussion in an overtime loss at Washington on Oct. 10 and played the following week.

Rodgers did not receive medical clearance after sustaining his second concussion of the season and was ruled out for Sunday night's game at New England.

"He's working his way through the process," McCarthy said Friday. "There are stages that you work through. But he's making progress, and I talked to him today. He looks good [and] would like to play."

Matt Flynn, a seventh-round draft pick out of LSU in 2008, is expected to make his first career start for the Packers just after making his first meaningful appearance of his career last week in Detroit.

As of Saturday, Rodgers had not progressed through the NFL's full protocol of testing needed before a player returns to the field after sustaining a head injury. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said earlier in the week that the team would err on the side of caution in determining his status for Sunday's game.

Green Bay has also signed quarterback Graham Harrell from their practice squad and placed safety Anthony Smith on injured reserve.

Rodgers will be wearing a new helmet that offers better head protection when he does return to his starting role with Green Bay.

Rodgers made an appearance in the Packers' locker room Friday, and did not take questions from reporters, however he did appeared alert and upbeat from what was noticeable.

The concussion is nothing to be extremely concerned about, however Green Bay is taking all the precautionary measures necessary for their franchise quarterback.

Coverage of the Packers vs. Patriots game will start on Sunday, December 19th, 6:00 p.m., on NBC