Green Bay Packer Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Says He's Back

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he is back. Will he play Sunday against Carolina?

According to a Sports Illustrated report Tuesday night, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he's been cleared to return to football in the caption of a picture he posted to Instagram on Tuesday night.

This morning, the excitement was palpable:

According to the Gaston Gazette in Carolina, Panthers coach Ron Rivera isn’t going to wait on the Packers to to fuel the speculation. Richard Walker of the Gaston Gazette, Rivera told reporters that he’s working with the assumption they’ll see Aaron Rodgers this week when the 7-6 Packers roll into town.

Rodgers practiced for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 2 since he broke his collarbone in a game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 15. He underwent surgery on Oct. 19. He was seen on national television zipping 50-yard passes on the field two weeks ago in Pittsburgh during pregame warmups.

According to a Washington Post story, running back Jamaal Williams was astonished. "That boy," Williams said (via the Green Bay Press-Gazette), "he came back, and he just flicked it. I was like, 'Dang!' I was like, 'Wow! Are you sure that man is injured?' I was like, 'That is far! I couldn't even do that on my good day.' I mean, he flicked it. I feel like he didn't even throw it. He just flicked it."

According to an ESPN report, the Packers are targeting Week 15 at Carolina for Rodgers' return. He has to receive medical clearance to play, and the team will have to be in playoff contention for sure.

Obviously the Packers best chance to reach the postseason is to run the table (sound familiar anyone?)

The Packers need some help just to get in. The Panthers and Falcons both need to lose more than one game, and Seattle has to also lose one game.

Green Bay's Remaining 2017 Games:
Dec. 17 at Carolina Panthers
Dec. 23 home vs. Minnesota Vikings
Dec. 31 at Detroit Lions

The New York Times has a playoff scenario simulator, but it paints a dismal picture for the Green and Gold, predicting that the Packers will have to win out in order to have a 93 percent chance at making the playoffs.

Current Seedings

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2, NFC East Champs)
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-3, NFC North leader)
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-4, NFC West leader)
4. New Orleans Saints (9-4, NFC South leader)
5. Carolina Panthers (9-4, wild card)
6. Atlanta Falcons (8-5, wild card)

Still Alive
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
8. Detroit Lions (7-6)
9. Green Bay Packers (7-6)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
12. Washington (5-8)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches warm ups before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)