While Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that quarterback Aaron Rodgers felt better this week than last, Rodgers wasn't nearly as encouraging Tuesday. After saying he didn't significantly aggravate his left calf strain in the playoff win over Dallas, Rodgers continued:
"It's not better. It's worse than when I started the game but it's doing OK. I'm tired of talking about it. It is what it is. It's a significant injury. I was able to get through it."
Rodgers made the comments on his weekly radio show on ESPN Wisconsin 540 AM, and they were transcribed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Rodgers said he used hand signals to let team physician Patrick McKenzie know how he was feeling. "Thumb down meant actually I was feeling pretty good, so I was able to give him the thumb down a couple times," Rodgers said.
Rodgers was on fire in the second half against the Cowboys, hitting 15 of 20 throws for 226 yards and two touchdowns. He played almost the entire game in the shotgun.
"Nothing changed in the approach," Rodgers said on the radio show. "There was some apprehension on getting out of the pocket that stayed with me the entire game. I was for whatever reason able to move to my left a little easier, hopping on my right (foot) and not having to put a lot of pressure on my left foot."
Green Bay is a 7.5-point underdog at Seattle in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.