GREEN BAY – DeShone Kizer got his first taste of leading the Packers' starting offense in a regular-season setting on Wednesday, with Aaron Rodgers rehabbing his injured knee.
Although running a No. 1 offense isn't foreign to Kizer after starting 15 games for Cleveland last year, there is a huge benefit in the second-year quarterback getting a chance to run with the Packers' starters regardless of whether he plays Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
"All reps are valuable," said Head Coach Mike McCarthy during his Thursday morning news conference. "These were the best reps as far as in the practice environment for all of our players, especially quarterbacks. The reps (Wednesday) for DeShone were definitely of high value."
McCarthy confirmed Rodgers will continue to work in the rehab group on Thursday, adding the two-time MVP quarterback is "going to try to do more today than yesterday."
Talking to reporters after Wednesday's practice, Kizer agreed a week like this is valuable for his development as a 22-year-old quarterback and said he'll be prepared for whatever role awaits him against the Vikings.
"I think obviously we have the best player in the league in our locker room," said Kizer of Rodgers. "If he's ready to go, I'm looking forward to cheering him on and doing whatever I can to help him. It's also my duty and job to make sure I'm ready to go just in case he's not."
McCarthy said receiver Davante Adams (shoulder) and linebacker Oren Burks (shoulder) will be "limited" participants in Thursday's padded practice.
