Green Bay Packers make decision on key defensive piece

The Green Bay Packers activated outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus ahead of their first-round bye on Thursday. After tearing his biceps in mid-November versus the Seahawks, it was unclear whether the former Texan would get healthy in time to play again this season.

The Packers head athletic trainer Bryan Engel shared the good news with defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

“Flea was really excited where Whitney was,” Barry said. “But to be honest with you, I would think that would be next week. Now it was pretty limited, but Whitney was in – we practiced in pads today. So Whitney was out on the practice field in pads today. He’s worked his tail off to get to where he’s at.”

Mercilus left the Houston Texans in October. While in Houston, the 6-foot-4, 258-pound defensive end recorded 357 total tackles, 72 tackles for loss and forced 13 fumbles. He started double-digit games for the team in six of his nine complete years there. This season, in four games played, Mercilus has five tackles, including a sack.

Mercilus, 31, was an All-American at Illinois and the 26th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He had spent his entire NFL career to date with the Texans.

Earlier in the year, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised the veteran additions his team had made, including Mercilus.

“You love when you can plug in veteran players who can play football at a high level in those spots… I love the energy with these guys,” Rodgers said.

Packers QB shares injury update

Ever since Aaron Rodgers came off the Reserve/COVID-19 list, he has dealt with a lingering toe injury. As the Green Bay Packers prepare for a playoff run, the health of their star signal-caller is at the forefront of every headline.

During a Wednesday press conference, Aaron Rodgers provided an update on his toe injury and how he feels entering the playoff push. According to him, the injury no longer requires pain-killing injections and should return to full strength soon.

“That’s been the most encouraging thing. Got through last week without doing one,” Rodgers said in his press conference. “It was just a pretty standard shot in the toe — very painful, but numbing agent. So that helped me get through the games. The whole goal was to be able to not have to do that and it’s been a few games now without doing that.

“So, I’m feeling good, practiced today. [I’m] close to 100 percent. I think I should be 100 percent probably by next week.”

Despite aging another year and engaging in a series of offseason disputes with the franchise, Aaron Rodgers has showed no dip in form this season. He has asserted himself as a candidate to win back-to-back MVP awards with 4,115 passing yards with 37 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2021.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.