Packers' Aaron Rodgers plans to play vs. Bears after scans give 'good news'

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is preparing as if he'll start this Sunday's game at the division-rival Chicago Bears. 

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Rodgers explained during his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he "got good news with the scans yesterday" on the rib injury he suffered during the 40-33 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. 

"I plan on playing this week," Rodgers added during his comments. 

Rodgers completed 11-of-16 passes for 140 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions versus the Eagles until he exited that contest in the third quarter with what was first described as an oblique injury. Backup and 2020 first-round draft choice Jordan Love replaced the future Hall of Famer and connected on six of nine throws for 113 yards and a touchdown. 

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made it known that Rodgers would start at Chicago as long as the veteran who turns 39 years old on Friday could go. Rodgers had already been playing through a broken thumb on his throwing hand that he suffered during the loss to the New York Giants in London on Oct. 9. 

With the Packers at 4-8, some assumed they'd use this opportunity to see what they have in Love before they must make a call about the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract next spring. However, Rodgers declared after the Philadelphia game he wants to remain atop the depth chart as long as Green Bay possesses even an outside chance of making the playoffs. 

"We have a five-game stretch," Rodgers said at that time, according to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal. "We’ve got to win all five and probably need a little bit of help. … But as long as we’re mathematically alive, I’d like to be out there.

"There’s obviously a lot of other conversations that come into play once you’re eliminated, and I’ll be open to all those conversations. … There’s other factors that, obviously, would come into play should we be mathematically eliminated."

The Packers enter their bye week after this weekend before they return to action with a "Monday Night Football" home game against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 19. It's possible and maybe likely all involved will agree it's best for Rodgers to be shut down before that prime-time contest gets underway.