GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was cleared by doctors and returned to practice Thursday. Assuming he doesn’t have a setback in his recovery from a concussion, he is optimistic he will start Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers completed all the steps in the NFL’s protocol to return to the field after a head injury, but the team will monitor his progress before naming him the starter against the Dolphins.
“I’ve gone through the process that the NFL requires,” Rodgers said. “I’ve been cleared by our doctors, by an outside source. And I think it’s just a matter of how I feel (today). And I’m very optimistic.”
Rodgers suffered a concussion during Sunday’s overtime loss at Washington, but it’s not clear — even to Rodgers — when he began experiencing the symptoms of a head injury.
While most of the focus was on Rodgers’ return, the Packers also welcomed back tight end Donald Lee to practice.
Lee has a chest injury, but McCarthy said he’s optimistic Lee might be able to play against Miami .
Favre returns to Vikings practice
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Vikings quarterback Brett Favre returned to practice one day after sitting out to rest his sore right elbow.
Favre has been bothered by tendinitis in his throwing elbow and said this week he would consider sitting out a game or two to rest it if the condition worsens. Gradkowski sits out another practice
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski missed practice for a second straight day with an injured shoulder and running back Darren McFadden said he is questionable for Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a hamstring injury.
“There’s some improvement with Bruce, but unless he could work (today), then we kind of know where we’re headed with it,” coach Tom Cable said, implying Jason Campbell would get the start if Gradkowski misses another practice.
Footnotes.
Bears linebacker Lance Briggs sat out his second straight practice because of an injured left ankle, throwing his status for Sunday’s game against Seattle into question.
• Titans running back Chris Johnson was given a day off from practice to rest a sore thigh.
• Jaguars running back Maurice Jones- Drew sat out practice because of a sprained right hand and wrist but insisted he would be ready to play Monday night against the Titans.
• Woody Peoples, a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman who played for the 49ers and Eagles from 1968-80, died Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala. He was 67.
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