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Signs of progress for Aaron Rodgers: A few snaps, towel whips but no throws

Aaron Rodgers is still more than two weeks away from being allowed to practice. Jim Matthews/Green Bay Post Gazette

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Rodgers took a few snaps off to the side on Wednesday. Brett Hundley took all the snaps on the field.

Both were newsworthy in their own right.

It was the first sign of Rodgers doing anything at practice since he broke his collarbone in Week 6.

Meanwhile, Hundley appeared to have no issues with the hamstring injury he sustained late in the Green Bay Packers' win at Chicago on Sunday -- his first since he took over for Rodgers. Hundley was listed as a full participant in practice and said he expects to be able to move better than he did on his 17-yard scramble on Sunday, when he looked like he was taking a light jog.

"Slowest I ever ran in my life," Hundley joked.

He expects to be more mobile on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Hundley's preparation this week has included plenty of time in the training room.

"I've just been in there as much as possible just getting it right and just to be ready to roll on Sunday," Hundley said. "I felt fine [at practice]. Hopefully I'll just continue into that on Sunday. I can't give a percentage, but I feel good."

Rodgers is still more than two weeks away from being allowed to practice under the injured reserve rules. He cannot play Dec. 17 at Carolina because he has to spend at least eight weeks on IR.

"I think we've got to wait until Week 15 or something like that, but, for a guy who just had surgery several weeks, you wouldn't be able to tell that he had surgery," Packers linebacker Clay Matthews said after practice. "We've still got to wait, but it's good to see. At the same time, we've still got to hold up our end of the bargain and steal a few wins throughout these next several weeks in hopes that we've got a shot with him coming back. We started with one last week. Hopefully we can get another one this week."

However, the rehab work that Rodgers did off to the side seemed significant. He first went through some conditioning and footwork drills followed by some snaps from Nate Weir, the Packers coordinator of rehabilitation. Rodgers then simulated the throwing motion by whipping a towel, which seemed like the most strenuous test he gave his surgically repaired right clavicle.

It all happened during the portion of practice that was open to the media, and it's not known if he did anything after that. He never actually threw a ball during the open part of the workout.

"It's good to see him running around a little bit, doing some things," receiver Jordy Nelson said. "I think with all the guys that have been banged up, it's always fun to see him, good to see him back out there doing some things, and seeing the progress and having a good spirit about it."