Aaron Rodgers Probably Sitting Hall of Fame Game, Which Is Prudent for Packers
With Brett Favre headlining the Pro Football Hall of Fame class this weekend, the Packers were tapped to play in the annual NFL kickoff game this Sunday in Canton. With a game against the Colts, the league office was surely salivating at the prospect of Andrew Luck versus Aaron Rodgers, a matchup that would bring in casual eyeballs for what is ultimately a meaningless contest.
However, it does not appear as though Rodgers and the Packers will be indulging these wishes. As Jason Wilde notes at ESPN, Rodgers sat out practice on Thursday, and though no official determination has been given, this absence was a “telltale” sign he’ll be out Sunday. Because second stringer Brett Hundley has missed two straight practices with an ankle injury, this means it’s likely the Packers will be rolling with undrafted free agents Joe Callahan and Marquise Williams atop their QB depth chart.
An argument could be made that the Packers are doing a disservice to their fans who are traveling for Favre’s enshrinement, but that would be bunk. The volume of NFL preseason games is the real disservice. Being in the Hall of Fame game means the Packers and Colts have five preseason games instead of four, which means more opportunities for injuries to important players. Any true Packers fan would be happiest with the team maximizing its risk avoidance with Rodgers.
Even though Rodgers and the Packers offense bafflingly struggled last season, the fear of injuries in the preseason greatly outweighs whatever benefit one believes they could accrue with regards to timing and cohesion by suiting up more before the games count. Veterans like Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, and Mike Daniels should get as few snaps as possible before the season opener.