It is still unknown whether or not Aaron Rodgers will play in Green Bay's upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons or if he will even take the field in a game again this season. After failing to receive clearance on Tuesday, the quarterback has done some light practicing with the hopes of getting the ok come Friday or Saturday. If not, Rodgers' year could be over. One person that believes it should be done, former teammate Charles Woodson.
The former Packer, now Raiders' safety knows what it is like to get injured mid-season. Woodson went through a similar situation last season year and he believes that if the Packers are not expected to make the playoffs then Rodgers should call it a year and heal the right way.
"[If] you don't have the confidence or the doctors' don't have that confidence in that shoulder that you can go out there and the same thing is not going to happen again, I think you shut him down," Woodson said in an NFL Network interview, via Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com. "I went through the same thing last year and I wanted to come back Week 12, 13, 14. But the scans never gave us that confidence, so I didn't come back until the playoffs. So if they don't have the confidence in those scans, you shut him down."
Woodson understands from a competitive standpoint how difficult Rodgers' situation is, but the quarterback is a franchise player earning a large amount of money. He could hurt his future if he players too early and suffers a setback.
"With having a guy that you're going to pay over $100 million, [if] you're out of the playoffs, I would shut him down," Woodson said. "I know Aaron and if he's healthy, it depends on what his scans are telling him, (but) I know he's kicking and scratching trying to get back in the game."
For now, Rodgers is practicing, but not running the first-team offense. Matt Flynn continues to run the offense with the starters and is preparing to play against the Atlanta Falcons. If Rodgers is unable to go, Flynn will start and Scott Tolzien will serve as the backup.
A lot is riding on the team's quarterback situation. If Rodgers returns and the Packers can string together some wins, they have a real shot at catching up to the Detroit Lions and winning their division. If they lose to the Falcons, things could start to get murky and the idea of Rodgers returning at all would be pointless.
