Aaron Rodgers: 10 Reasons His Pride Could Cost Packers Come the Playoffs

Aaron Rodgers practiced for the first time this week on Thursday after sustaining a concussion in the last play of the game this past Sunday.

The question now revolves around how ready Rodgers may actually be to play. With the new focus on properly treating players after concussions, is Rodgers pushing himself too far too fast?

Players often like to discount headaches, even in the new age we live in of brain scans and post-concussion syndrome.

But Rodgers is a pro, and he wants to play. That doesn't mean it's the correct decision. In fact, his decision to play now could hurt the Packers down the road.

Here are 10 reasons why.

10. The Packers Have a Backup Quarterback

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 02: Starting quarterback Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers rolls out during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 2, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

No one is more paranoid about losing their starting job than the quarterback. If they miss one series, it could mean they stay on the bench for a significant amount of time.

Look at what happened to Kevin Kolb when Michael Vick came in this year if you want any evidence of that.

But the Packers do have a backup named Matt Flynn, who came to the Packers to be the backup in 2008.

At 25 years old, the young quarterback is capable of coming in and doing a competent job.

9. Miami's Pass Defense

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins has his pass batted down by Jermaine Cunningham #96 of the New England Patriots at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins have the fourth-ranked pass defense in the league, so the Packers might want to focus on their run game since the Dolphins only are ranked 21st against the rush.

To have an effective running game, you only need someone to hand the ball off and let the running backs do the rest.

Flynn is quite capable of doing that.

8. Donald Lee

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CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Donald Lee #86 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Brandon McDonald #22 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Donald Lee also returned to practice this week, and a backup quarterback can throw a screen pass to a tight end. If the backup can't, he shouldn't be in the league.

7. Donald Driver

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers pops up after catching a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan

Donald Driver is an elite wide receiver in the NFL. Like Donald Lee, Driver's job is to be open for a throw and to catch it when the ball comes his way.

Flynn has been on the team long enough to make sure all of these should come pretty easy.

6. Brandon Jackson

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by members of the Detroit Lion defense including Jonathan Wade #24 and Louis Delmas #26 at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated t

Brandon Jackson's job is to run the ball, and while he has yet to have a 1,000-yard season, now is the time for Jackson to assert himself.

As stated before, the Miami Dolphins can be run on, and it's Jackson's job to pick up the slack if Rodgers is hurt.

5. The Schedule

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Packers should be able to handle the Miami Dolphins without any significant changes to their offensive schemes this week.

The following week brings the Minnesota Vikings, and no matter what, you want a healthy Rodgers for that contest.

4. The Playoffs

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Tight end Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the game on a cart after injuring his knee against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won the game in ov

The Packers already lost games they shouldn't have because of poor decisions. With Jermichael Finley out for the year now, the Packers can't hope to make the playoffs if they keep losing their star players.

Rodgers pride may cost him more than an extra couple of weeks if he decides to play again. He could end up on the sidelines for the rest of the season with Finley.

3. Being Like Brett Favre Isn't Always A Good Thing

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is taken to the ground by lineback Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins w

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has become known for his ironman streak, among many other things good and bad.

If Rodgers is trying to "man up" and play through the concussion like he thinks Favre probably did a time or two early in his career, he's thinking wrong.

What we know about concussions now should be reason enough for Rodgers to take it easy for a week.

2. Further Injury

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by DeAngelo Hall #23, Carlos Rogers #22, and Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarte at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover,

Rodgers is going to have the concussion on the back of his mind, so to speak, while he's on the field. In his effort to avoid having his head bounced off of the ground, it's possible he could suffer a different, far worse injury in the process.

How many athletes have suffered a worse injury over the years while attempting to play through a minor injury? The number is unknowable.

Speaking of further injury, that brings us to the number one reason . . .

1. Another Concussion

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers lays on the ground after a hard hit against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won the game in overtime

If Rodgers plays again this Sunday and suffers another concussion, he could be out for a significant amount of time, and it could have long-term repercussions for his career.

The Packers then would be forced to completely re-evaluate their offense not only for the rest of this season, but for next year as well.

Pride goeth before a fall, and no one wants to see Rodgers fall again.