Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers practiced in pads Thursday for the first time since suffering a cracked collarbone Nov. 4, but still is considered a long shot to face the Falcons on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
His passing arm appeared fine to reporters watching practice. However, his cracked left collarbone isn’t completely healed.
If Rodgers can’t play, the Falcons will face Matt Flynn, who reportedly took the first-team snaps again.
“No matter who it is (at quarterback), we are preparing for whatever happens,” Falcons safety William Moore said Thursday. “For him, Flynn, whoever is back there, we are going to go in and play the same ball, the same execution.”
Rodgers is 2-2 against the Falcons and won his past two meetings against them.
He led the Packers to a 25-14 victory in 2011 and was dazzling in the 48-21 divisional-round playoff thrashing of the No. 1-seeded Falcons after the 2010 season.
In his first season as a starter in Green Bay, Rodgers lost to the Falcons (27-24), in 2008. Also, the Falcons beat Rodgers and the Packers (20-17) during the 2010 season at the Georgia Dome.
Jones update: Wide receiver Harry Douglas has been in contact with injured wide receiver Julio Jones, who hasn't spoken to the media since his injury and surgery.
“He’s doing good,” Douglas said. “I talked to him the other day. I saw him (Wednesday), too. He’s doing (well).”
Jones has been in the building for meetings and doesn’t seem to have a sense of isolation.
“He’s handling it pretty good, but Julio is a mature guy,” Douglas said. “Things like that don’t bother Julio.”
Douglas gives Jones credit for his strong season.
“After every game I talk to him, and he tells me what he’s seeing,” Douglas said. “It’s always good. He lets you know what he sees. He’s been very helpful.”
Punting outdoors: Punter Matt Bosher is having a strong season, but nine of his 12 games this season have been indoors.
He could impress Pro Bowl voters with a strong outdoor outing at Lambeau Field.
“The nice thing is that it should be cold enough not to snow,” special-teams coordinator Keith Armstrong said. “You just have to manage the wind. I don’t know if it’s going to be cloudy or sunny. He’ll face all of the elements that we typically don’t get.”
Bosher has averaged 46.0 yards on 48 punts and has a net average of 40.3, which ranks tied for seventh in the NFC behind St. Louis’ Johnny Hekker (44.0), New Orleans’ Thomas Morstead (43.0), San Francisco’s Andy Lee (42.9), Detroit’s Sam Martin (41.5), Philadelphia’s Donnie Jones (41.2) and Carolina’s Brad Nortman (40.7.) Morstead was the NFC’s Pro Bowl punter last season.
“He’s representing himself well,” Armstrong said. “He’s putting the work in, and it’s showing up on game day.”
Getting help: Running back Steven Jackson credited fullback Patrick DiMarco with leading the way on his 27-yard touchdown run against the Bills on Sunday.
“As a fullback, it’s all about going in there, sticking your nose in there and trying to open up some holes,” DiMarco said. “You just have to be a physical and tough guy.”
Milestone: Douglas is closing in on 1,000 yards receiving in a season for the first time in his career. He has 66 catches for 906 yards and two touchdowns.
“I just want to go out there and play the game,” Douglas said. “I’ll do whatever I’m asked to do, if 1,000 yards come with it, I’m all with it.”
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