Rodgers to Start, Hasselbeck Unlikely to Play

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is putting the questions to rest early this week, proclaiming Friday—with support of his head coach—that he will in fact be ready to start Sunday against Seattle.

"I feel like I'm going to be able to be good for Sunday," Rodgers said Friday. "I would've liked to (have done) a little throwing, but I did as much as I could (in practice) with the run game and took the mental reps. I feel good about the gameplan and my preparation."

"Dr. (Pat) McKenzie, in his evaluation this morning, felt it was best for Aaron not to throw today. That's why his practice reps were limited," Packers' Coach Mike McCarthy said. "He'll be ready to go Sunday."

His opposing quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, won't share that luxury, as his coach is unsure of his status.

"Matt, I'm not sure. It will be a game-day decision there," Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren said. "The thing just has not responded. He can't do much with his leg. It's not ligaments, it's not anything like that. It's just sore. He doesn't have the green light to play. He could get it, but I have got to feel like he's not too vulnerable out there."

The Packers and Seahawks both face crucial games in their respective seasons, and quarterback play will be pivotal. If Hasselbeck can't go, it will be backup Charlie Frye who gets the start for Seattle. Frye seems confident he can lead the struggling Seahawks to a win Sunday.

"It doesn't seem that long ago that I played. I basically played two full games in the preseason, and I can lean back on that as experience," Frye said. "I thought practice went pretty well this week, I was throwing the ball well, and I managed to lose my voice. It's the most I've talked in a long time."

Meanwhile, McCarthy isn't worried that Rodgers has yet to throw a pass in practice this week. Rodgers has participated in other non-throwing drills.

"As far as Aaron Rodgers' preparation, we did the best we can as far as having him rep at practice," McCarthy said. "He's a very conscientious individual, and I'm confident that he'll be prepared to play in the game Sunday."

The 2-3 Packers and 1-3 Seahawks play Sunday, 4 PM EDT, on FOX.