is Tuesday. What was new with Rodgers,

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- So much quarterback drama with the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is tossing the football around again at practice. But dont expect to see Rodgers to be healed enough from his fractured left collarbone to play Thursday when Green Bay visits Detroit in a critical NFC North game. "This was a big day actually for him as far as doing throwing and doing some of the things ... the training staff wanted to hit with him. They definitely hit it," coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday after practice. "So, he feels good but I dont think hes going to make it this week." Tuesday marked Rodgers return to practice since the Nov. 4 injury as anything more than an unofficial assistant quarterback coach. He was formally declared "limited" on the injury report. Asked for more clarity after having pronounced Rodgers chances as "slim to none" earlier this week, McCarthy told reporters: "Closer to none. Im trying to help you out, the drama ... that you guys need. So, there it is, all right." So then the starter is ... Matt Flynn. Probably. Flynn took starter reps Tuesday, two days after helping to lead the Packers back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the Vikings 26-26 in overtime. "Thats where we are. Business as usual," McCarthy said. "Getting him ready. Getting ready to go." Flynn hadnt actually been told as of early Tuesday afternoon that hell be the starter. He said he didnt know when that decision will be made, though it seems like its headed in that direction. "But Im preparing like Im going to start. My mind is set to go out there and take the first snap and play, and do the best that I can, and try to move the ball," said Flynn, a one-time Packers backup who was re-signed two weeks ago. The Packers problems at quarterback started when Rodgers went down during the first series of the 27-20 loss to Chicago on Nov. 4. Green Bay, 5-2 at the time, has been winless since then. Seneca Wallace replaced Rodgers, then started against the Eagles and played one series before leaving with a groin injury. Hes now on injured reserve. Scott Tolzien replaced Wallace, and started the previous two weeks, but was relieved by Flynn on Sunday for ineffectiveness. Flynn threw for 218 yards and a touchdown. Working in his favour is that hes familiar with the Packers system after having been drafted by the team in 2008 and serving as Rodgers backup for four seasons before leaving as a free agent in 2012. "I think were so much further ahead than we were last week," McCarthy said. "Just as far as going into this game, I feel a lot better that both our quarterbacks will be better prepared." With Flynn, the Packers moved the ball against the Vikings going without a huddle, a staple under Rodgers but something that McCarthy has said the team wasnt really as prepared to do on Sunday. "You get the no-huddle out there, you kind of press their conditioning a little bit," centre Evan Dietrich-Smith said. "It really starts stressing out their guys that are on the field for that time because maybe theyre not as used to it." The equalizing factor, though, might be the Packers having to recover from playing an overtime game. Practice schedules have been juggled a little this week to help the players. Besides Rodgers, the Packers are starting to get other key players back like cornerback Sam Shields (hamstring) and Johnny Jolly (groin), who were both full participants Tuesday after missing the Vikings game. Right tackle Don Barclay (knee) also returned on a limited basis Tuesday. What was new with Rodgers, though, was the primary topic of conversation. How did he look? How did he throw? Will he play? "Youre talking to the wrong person. I would be surprised, I guess," receiver Jordy Nelson said with a smile. "Theres nothing wrong with being surprised, though. Anyway, next question." Cam Lewis Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. T.J. Yeldon Jersey . The Brad Jacobs team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., advanced to Fridays championship game with a 10-6 win over Chinas Rui Liu in the semifinal. http://www.wholesalebillsjerseys.com/?ta...ank-gore-jersey. -- Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles as he tries to come back from the second major operation on his left shoulder. Nate Becker Jersey . Therrien would not confirm his lineup for the game, but he did have the same line combinations practicing together for the third straight day which is usually a pretty good indication of what the lineup will be. Jim Kelly Jersey . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. By releasing Bailey, the Broncos would open up cap space with the 12-time Pro Bowl player scheduled to make around $10 million next season.NEW YORK -- One of the greats to wear green, Paul Pierce found it strange playing for the other side. "It was a little weird looking over and seeing all the green uniforms," he said of his first game against the Boston Celtics. "Im used to lining up in the green and white for so long." Pierce made just one basket but grabbed 10 rebounds and added five assists to help the Brooklyn Nets beat the Celtics 82-80 on Tuesday night in the first matchup between the teams since a blockbuster trade on draft night. Brook Lopez scored 20 points and Andrey Blatche had 14 starting in place of Kevin Garnett for the Nets, who won it when Chris Johnson made two free throws with 7.0 seconds left after the game was tied at 80. Pierce finished 1 of 6, his only basket a driving layup with 6.2 seconds left in the first half in the first meeting between the teams since the deal that sent Pierce and Garnett to Brooklyn. Coach Jason Kidd told Pierce to treat it like a green and white scrimmage -- and the white pulled it out. "I thought he handled it well, as any professional would," Kidd said. Courtney Lee led the Celtics with 14 points but missed a potential tying jumper in the final seconds. Pierce was the first Nets starter announced after he was always the last guy called in Boston. Originally shaken by the trade, he seemed to enjoy reminders of his past and cattching up with his old teammates.dddddddddddd. He had a chat with Rajon Rondo by the Celtics bench while the Nets were shooting free throws, and later said something that drew a smile from Avery Bradley after blocking the guards shot. Pierce also visited the Celtics in their locker room before the game to wish them luck this season. "It was weird at first, but its at a point now where people just got to get used to it," Celtics forward Jeff Green said of the trade. Pierce spent 15 years with the Celtics and is second on their career scoring list and was the MVP of the 2008 NBA Finals. He knows he has a lesser role on a deep Nets team, but wont accept that his days as an elite scorer are over. "I still have it in the tank," he said. "When the big games come, I still am more than capable." Garnett didnt play as part of a regularly scheduled night off after the Nets played Monday in Philadelphia. Kidd called it a "reward" for Garnetts good work during the preseason, though Garnett has already made it clear he doesnt want nights off. The Nets were also without Deron Williams, who remains out with a sprained right ankle, and key