Packers' Rodgers aims to play against Vikings

Aaron Rodgers is better with one healthy leg than many quarterbacks are with two.

However, the Green Bay Packers (1-0) want to keep their long-term goals in mind while deciding to play a hobbled Rodgers in the short term. The quarterback's status is up in the air as the Packers prepare to host the division rival Minnesota Vikings (1-0) on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.

Rodgers revealed this week that he had a sprained ligament in his left knee that had caused considerable soreness. He was carted off the field in the season opener after taking a hit to his knee, but he returned in the second half to rally the Packers to a 24-23 win over the Chicago Bears.

"I want to play, obviously," Rodgers told reporters this week. "You're just taking it one day at a time."

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is not taking any chances. He said he would prepare his defense as if Rodgers would start.

A bad knee likely will prompt Rodgers to stay in the pocket and emphasize quick releases to avoid contact.

"He didn't move quite as well, but he did move and make some throws," Zimmer said to reporters. "He didn't really get outside the pocket after that. The guy's incredible. He makes every throw, gets the ball out quick, sees pressure. We'll just have to see going into the game."

If Rodgers cannot play, look for DeShone Kizer to get another shot under center. Kizer has thrown more than twice as many interceptions (23) as touchdown passes (11) in his brief career, which included a difficult rookie season with the Cleveland Browns in 2017.

Packers wideout Davante Adams also missed practice time this week because of a shoulder injury but is hopeful of playing against the Vikings. Running back Aaron Jones (suspension) will not play, leaving Jamaal Williams as the likely feature back for the second week in a row.

The Vikings will go for back-to-back victories after a 24-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers in their season opener. Kirk Cousins, who signed a three-year, $84 million deal in the offseason, connected on touchdown passes with Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph in his team debut.

Cousins said he looked forward to his first taste of the Vikings-Packers rivalry up close. He admires Rodgers, albeit from afar, with his only conversations featuring quick greetings on the field.

"I don't think I've ever really bumped into him outside of that," Cousins said. "He came into the league much earlier than me. I think he flies at a little bit of a different altitude than I do.

"He has done a lot in his career. Certainly, something a guy like myself is chasing to achieve a lot of what he has already done. I tell him when I see guys like him ... I just say, 'I study you. I study you and watch your film and try to learn from you because you are a guy that I want to study and want to learn from.'"

Minnesota won both of its meetings with Green Bay last year, 23-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium and 16-0 at Lambeau Field. The Packers lead the all-time series 59-52-2.