Packers QB Rodgers sits out practice

Oct 2, 2008 - 9:04 PM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sat out Thursday's practice to rest his ailing right shoulder.

Rodgers, who suffered a sprained shoulder in last weekend's 31-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did not even attempt to throw Thursday.

"The plan was to rehab him as hard as they possibly can with yesterday, and he was a little sore from yesterday's work today, and that was the same plan today," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "They're working as hard as they can to get as much strength back in the shoulder. That's the focus."

McCarthy said Thursday's practice was devoted to giving rookie Matt Flynn as many repetitions as possible to get him ready for a potential start against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

"I wanted to make sure that today Matt felt very comfortable, and actually practiced very well," McCarthy said.

Even if Rodgers is unable to practice Friday, McCarthy said that does not necessarily ruin his chances of playing Sunday.

"You still have another 48 hours before kickoff, so we do have some time," he said.

A former first-round draft selection, Rodgers, 24, has passed for 961 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter.