Packers QB Aaron Rodgers practicing to play at Lions?

Shortly after the Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday night to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, quarterback and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers insisted he would play in the Week 18 matchup at the Detroit Lions even though that game means nothing to Green Bay other than avoiding an extra week off before the postseason bye. 

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday he wanted to "play our guys" for at least some of Sunday's contest, and Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk notes that Rodgers was on the practice field Thursday. 

Rodgers, the betting favorite to be named MVP for the 2021-22 campaign, has been playing with a fractured pinkie toe since Week 10 but said shortly after the win over Minnesota that was "the first game that my toe got through the game without any issues, no pregame painkiller shot, so I'm feeling good." It's understandable, thus, that he may wish to test the digit for at least a half against a live defense before the playoffs. 

Also this week, Rodgers spoke highly about a once believed-to-be crumbling relationship with the Packers and, specifically, with general manager Brian Gutekunst. Those comments should remind LaFleur, Gutekunst, and everyone else associated with the team that it's probably wise to give Rodgers just about whatever he wants, including playing time, before the knockout tournament begins.