Aaron Rodgers Injury Update: Returns to Practice, Will Play Sunday For Packers

The Associated Press is reporting that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned to practice on Thursday.

Rodgers took a helmet-to-helmet hit during last Sunday’s overtime loss to the Washington Redskins, leading to a concussion that had his week 6 status in doubt. According to the NFL’s guidelines for head injuries, Rodgers must be symptom-free, cleared by a team doctor and cleared by an independent neurological consultant before he could return to practice.

A similar situation arose last week with Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who ended up missing practice all week and eventually missing Chicago's game against Carolina. The Bears won their game, but replacement quarterback Todd Collins threw four interceptions.

Cutler’s hit was much more violent than the one that Rodgers took, but concussions are being taken significantly more seriously now than they would have been in the past.

With a season-ending injury to Ryan Grant and Nick Barnett, a potential season-ending injury to Jermichael Finley, and numerous smaller injuries to Clay Matthews, Al Harris and other players; the Packers need Aaron Rodgers to be their leader, perhaps even more than they need him to be their quarterback.

If the Packers’ star quarterback was unable to play this Sunday, the team would have then turned to third-year quarterback Matt Flynn, who has never started an NFL game. Needless to say, concern was growing.

Barring any setbacks, though, Rodgers will be ready to go this Sunday when his Green Bay Packers host the Miami Dolphins.