NFC North injuries, Week 14: Aaron Rodgers yet to be medically cleared

The injury status of a few star players is dominating the NFC North headlines.

Dec 9, 2013, 10:48 PM UTC

Mike McGinnis

The battle for the NFC North is tight and all three contenders are dealing with injuries to key players. The Vikings are out of contention, but have injury woes of their own. Here's the latest on Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers, Reggie Bush, Adrian Peterson and more.

Chicago:

The Bears play on Monday night and will do so without starting quarterback Cutler. Although he was reportedly eyeing a return this week, Cutler was limited in practice and his status for next week is still uncertain. Cutler did not practice on Saturday. Linebacker Lance Briggs also sat out of practice on Saturday and will not play against Dallas. Their status going forward will be a key for the Bears' playoff chances.

Detroit:

Bush aggravated his calf injury during pregame warmups and did not play on Sunday against Philadelphia. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said Bush is considered "day-to-day" so his status for Week 15 likely won't be known until later in the week. It could come down to gametime again, where Bush warms up to test if he's able to go. Schwartz said defensive end Ziggy Ansah is also day-to-day with a shoulder injury.

Darius Slay recently underwent knee surgery and is "week-to-week" while tackle LaAdrian Waddle suffered an elbow injury against the Eagles, but Schwartz said he wasn't "too concerned" about the severity.

Green Bay:

The attention in Green Bay is on the status of Rodgers, but head coach Mike McCarthy said an update won’t come until later in the week. Rodgers has yet to be medically cleared from his collarbone injury. Rodgers is scheduled to work out on Tuesday before being evaluated again on Wednesday. McCarthy said the team is currently planning to play with Matt Flynn. Randall Cobb is also working his way back. He went through a workout on Monday, but like Rodgers, has yet to be medically cleared.

The Packers likely won't know whether running back Eddie Lacy can play in Week 15 until later in the week. Lacy has been bothered by an ankle injury and was forced out of the game against Atlanta, If he can't play, James Starks will likely fill in.

Minnesota:

Peterson was carted off the field on Sunday, but initial tests were positive. X-rays came back negative on his sprained foot and Peterson said he expects to play in Week 15. Although Peterson has a good chance to play this week, tight end Kyle Rudolph will not. Rudolph was placed on injured reserve on Monday due to a foot injury he suffered in Week 9. With the Vikings out of the playoff race, there was very little incentive to rush Rudolph back into action.

Quarterback Christian Ponder was medically cleared to return from his concussion, but head coach Leslie Frazier said he hasn't decided who will start this week. Xavier Rhodes, Brandon Fusco and John Carlson are all day-to-day after suffering injuries on Sunday.