After leaving the door open on Friday, the Packers made it official on Saturday that Aaron Rodgers will not be available to start Sunday night against the New England Patriots.
Rodgers did not get the medical clearance he needed to resume play after sustaining his second concussion of the season last Sunday in the Packers’ 7-3 loss at Detroit.
A team spokesman informed reporters of the decision late Saturday morning, a couple of hours before the team was to leave on its trip to New England. The spokesman said Rodgers had not advanced far enough through the concussion protocol to play, though he did not say how far along Rodgers is.
The means Matt Flynn, a 2008 draft pick, will make his first career start for the Packers. The team also signed quarterback Graham Harrell from its practice squad and placed safety Anthony Smith on injured reserve.
Rodgers is expected to accompany the team to 11-2 New England, and will likely be available on the sideline to help Flynn, who completed 15 of 26 passes for 177 yards and one pick after replacing Rodgers last weekend in Detroit.
The decision ends Rodgers’ streak of regular-season games started at 45 and marks the first time since 1992 that the Packers’ backup quarterback has had to start a game.
Flynn took virtually all the snaps with the No. 1 offense in practice this week, and the team’s game plan has been designed for him.