National Football League

Aaron Rodgers will not play Sunday

Published Dec. 18, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Green Bay Packers downgraded starting QB Aaron Rodgers (concussion) from doubtful to out on Saturday for Sunday's game against the host New England Patriots.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that Rodgers hasn’t completed all the necessary steps to be cleared medically.

Matt Flynn will start his first NFL game in place of the injured Rodgers. Rookie quarterback Graham Harrell was signed off the practice squad to handle the No. 2 role this week since the team does not have another quarterback on the 53-man roster. To make room for him on the 53-man roster, the team placed backup safety Anthony Smith (ankle) on injured reserve.

Harrell (6-2, 215) is a rookie out of Texas Tech University. He signed with the Packers in May 2010 and has been on Green Bay’s practice squad for all 13 games this season. He finished his collegiate career atop the NCAA record books in several passing categories.

Smith played in four games for the Packers this season after being acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade on Oct. 18.