GREEN BAY - The Packers have returned from their bye week mostly healthy, optimistic about the final four games of their season, but also knowing they need lots of help to make it to the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has worked out twice this week (as of Thursday) without the support tape on his broken thumb, ostensibly healed since its original injury now more than two months ago. And while he reports the Monday night likelihood of wearing protection on his ribs, injured at Philadelphia Nov. 27, he also says he feels much better physically than he did prior to the off week.
One element of the Rams Rodgers is planning on facing is Aaron Donald, even though the eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury.
Still, Rodgers knows to not take anything for granted.
"He's a Hall of Famer," Rodgers said Thursday at his locker of Donald. "He's one of the top interior lineman to play in the league. Definitely top three in my generation and he's a generational-type player, where he could be dominant in any generation of football. He's a game wrecker.”
Helping buoy the Green Bay offense figures to be rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs. Doubs has missed the last month with an ankle injury but said this week he “fully expects” to play Monday night.
Temperatures Monday night are expected in the teens, which Rodgers admits he does not like playing in. Still, he knows there is some advantage to playing a team from Los Angeles in freezing temperatures.
Most of us are not from here,” Rodgers, a California native, added. “But we just get a little better used to being in the cold, I think, because we practice outside.”
Monday night’s game begins at 7:15, with network pregame coverage starting at 5:00 on flagship station 97.3 The Game and on the regional Packers Radio Network.