GREEN BAY – The Packers will get back to work inside the Don Hutson Center Thursday after Head Coach Mike McCarthy canceled Wednesday's practice in favor of a team walk-through.
McCarthy decided to forgo the scheduled practice after the Packers played to a 29-29 tie with the Minnesota Vikings Sunday in game in which the NFC North rivals combined for 138 total offensive plays in an 80-degree weather.
Being smart with the players' physical workload, the Packers stressed their mental preparation Wednesday to make sure the team was ready for Sunday's matchup with Washington, Green Bay's first road trip of the regular season.
"There's more of a challenge there," said McCarthy during his pre-practice news conference Thursday. "It was a physical focus (Wednesday) as far as what we were trying to accomplish. The mental was the big challenge, we challenged them more mentally than we would on a normal Wednesday. It was a give and take because at the end of the day, we have to make sure we're prepared to play the game."
McCarthy said the team will practice indoors because of rain in the area. It's expected Oren Burks will be able to do more after the Packers estimated the rookie linebacker as a full participant Wednesday.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be in the rehab group, according to McCarthy. He'll follow a similar format as last week and continue to communicate with Dr. Patrick McKenzie and Green Bay's training staff.
"In Aaron's case, he's very much involved," McCarthy said. "Our players don't just walk in and the doctors tell them what to do. The feedback and communication of all the resources, the player and the doctor. That's where those medical decisions come from. Aaron will work in the rehab group again today as he did last Thursday. His format will be similar. He will not be at the Hutson Center."
