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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Despite not making a single throw in practice this week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is prepared to make the start for the Green Bay Packers in their game Sunday at Seattle.

Coach Mike McCarthy said the team made a medical decision to keep Rodgers, who has a sprained right shoulder, from throwing the football in practice Friday.

"Dr. (Pat) McKenzie in his evaluation this morning felt it was best for Aaron not to throw today. That's why his practice reps were limited," McCarthy said. "He'll be ready to go Sunday."

The Packers listed Rodgers as probable on their injury report for the game.

Rodgers made only a few throws in practice last week after suffering the injury Sept. 28 at Tampa Bay.

The first-year starter was cleared to play Sunday a few hours before the Packers' home game against Atlanta and had one of his top performances this season.

Rodgers completed 25 of 37 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in Green Bay's 27-24 loss.

"I feel like I'm going to be able to be good for Sunday," Rodgers said Friday. "I would've liked to do a little throwing, but I did as much as I could (in practice) with the run game and took the mental reps. I feel good about the game plan and my preparation."

The extent of Rodgers' participation in practice the last few days was taking snaps in the jog-through portion at the outset and handing off the football to a running back or dropping back on a pass play but not making the throw.

Rookie backups Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm handled the practice reps in live drills, leaving Rodgers to stand back and visualize each play being called and executed.

"Just take mental reps every time," Rodgers said. "If Matt or Brian are taking a rep, just go through what I would do as far as the read or the check at the line of scrimmage."

Rodgers said the shoulder felt better than it did a week ago Friday, though he hasn't regained full strength in it after going through rigorous rehab for most of the last two weeks.

"There's definitely some marked improvement," Rodgers said. "I'm just going to continue to work hard in the rehab room and get ready for Sunday."

He expects to endure pain, as he did in the last game, throughout the contest Sunday.

Rodgers acknowledged that he would probably take a painkilling pill before the game for the second straight week.

When asked Friday whether the team would have Rodgers throw at all this weekend before the game, McCarthy said, "I think we'll be fine."

McCarthy feels Rodgers did enough in practice, minus the throws, to have a handle on things for the game.

The Packers (2-3) are looking to end a three-game slide, their longest losing streak since 2006.

"As far as Aaron Rodgers' preparation, we did the best we can as far as having him rep at practice," McCarthy said. "He's a very conscientious individual, and I'm confident that he'll be prepared to play in the game Sunday."

Rodgers isn't concerned about going into the game with possibly not having made a throw in a full week.

"I don't think they're really worried about me throwing," Rodgers said. "They want me to make good decisions and be smart with the ball. I think I've proven I can throw the football (with a hurt shoulder). I did last week."

NOTES: The Packers are expecting to have the majority of their lengthy list of injured players available for the game Sunday. Besides Rodgers, other starters listed as probable are LT Chad Clifton (hamstring), FB Korey Hall (knee), CB Charles Woodson (toe) and LB A.J. Hawk (groin). S Aaron Rouse (knee) also is probable and likely will start in place of an injured Atari Bigby (hamstring), who is doubtful. DT Ryan Pickett (knee) is questionable but said Friday he would play. "I'm planning on all of those guys going. It's just really how they feel at the beginning of the game and the way they fight through it," McCarthy said. ... Green Bay's decimated defensive line probably will have a new starter at right end. Mike Montgomery, who suffered a sprained ankle in his first pro start in the last game, didn't practice this week and is doubtful for Sunday. Rookie Jeremy Thompson is a candidate to replace Montgomery. ... Rookie CB Pat Lee was added to the injury report after suffering back spasms in practice Thursday. Lee didn't practice Friday and is questionable for the game, though McCarthy is hopeful that Lee will be able to play. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who was ill at midweek, was removed from the injury report. He will play Sunday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)