This was pretty much a formality, but the Green Bay Packers have officially named Matt Flynn the starting quarterback for Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
They also officially ruled the injured Aaron Rodgers out. Rodgers practiced for the first time since breaking his collarbone yesterday. On his radio show, Rodgers said he was optimistic about playing, but obviously the Packers didn’t want to take the chance.
“We’re 22 days out from the injury today. Expectations have been high, and I’ve obviously been trying to push it as much as has been reasonable, but it’s a waiting game with broken bones and obviously it doesn’t just affect the bone, it affects the muscles around it and range of motion and the strength you have on that left side and in that shoulder. Obviously I know I’m a right-handed quarterback, but I still need to be able to have strength in that arm.”
After replacing Scott Tolzien on Sunday, Flynn had been taking the reps with the starters in practice. However, coach Mike McCarthy didn’t immediately name him the starter, instead saying he was preparing both quarterbacks to play.
Earlier this week, Flynn said he had a total of eight practice reps last week and he still came in and threw for over 200 yards in a little more than two quarters of football.
With a little more preparation, the Packers should be able to open up the offense with Flynn against Detroit. Hopefully Flynn will be able to duplicate that 480 yard performance he had against the Lions in 2011.