Though the Green Bray Packers won't make an official decision regarding their starting quarterback for Sunday night's game against the New England Patriots until Saturday, it's looking more and more likely that it will be Matt Flynn who gets the nod.
Rodgers, who suffered his second concussion of the season in last week's loss to the Lions, already had a "slim" chance of practicing at all this week, and now the Globe's Greg A. Bedard (and former Packers beat writer) is saying that he has "Been hearing all week the Packers knew early on Rodgers wouldn't play."
We'll know a lot more when Friday's practice report is released, and learn what Rodgers' participation was (or was not). In the meantime though, head coach Mike McCarthy is singing the praises of Flynn, a third-year pro from LSU, and hinted that he would get the start Sunday.
"He's had a good week of practice, and this is always a big hurdle for a quarterback when he gets his first start. This is something he'll really benefit from. He's actually put together two good days of practice. I'm impressed with the way he has thrown the ball."
While Flynn doesn't have much pro experience -- he's only attempted 46 passes and has yet to throw his first NFL touchdown -- but that doesn't mean he won't be able to give the Patriots' secondary some trouble, says Bill Huber of Packer Report, Scout.com and FoxSports.com (via NESN):
First, some history: Flynn took over at LSU after JaMarcus Russell went No. 1 overall to Oakland. All he did was lead the Tigers to the national championship during his only year as the starter. So, the guy knows how to play. The Browns wanted him during the offseason to be their starter, but the Packers wouldn't listen to any offers.
I think I was the only guy in the media to be tough on Flynn after the Detroit game. He blew a few chances to make plays that might have led to a different outcome. With that said, now that he'll have a week's worth of practice reps, that obviously will help with the timing with his receivers.
As for the scouting report: Decent arm, decent mobility, but a real gamer. He won't wow anyone with his skill-set, but he knows how to play.
Read more on Flynn at Pats Pulpit.