GREEN BAY, Wis. — As reporters encircled Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at his locker, linebacker Clay Matthews hurried past and shouted out in jest perhaps the most important question of the week.

“A-Rod, are you playing?” Matthews yelled.

Oh, yes, Rodgers plans to play Sunday against the Bears. He just didn’t practice Wednesday to focus on rehabbing his leg injuries, a plan coach Mike McCarthy said will likely stay in place for the quarterback through Thursday.

McCarthy said Rodgers told him not to hold anything back for the game plan against the Bears as Green Bay seeks a fourth consecutive victory as they chase a spot in the playoffs.

“I’m very optimistic by nature. So we can always take things out. It’s harder to add things back in,” Rodgers said. “So get everything in, and if there’s anything we’ve got to take out on Sunday, we’ll do that.”

The Packers have won three straight heading into a three-game stretch to end the regular season against NFC North foes. Tied with Minnesota for second at 2 games behind Detroit, Green Bay needs help to return to the playoffs an eighth straight season.

Rodgers hurt his left hamstring a few weeks ago against the Eagles. He hurt his right calf while throwing a 66-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams on the third play of the 38-10 victory last weekend over the Seattle Seahawks.

“I’m feeling better. I appreciate the time to rehab. With an injury like this, it’s really about maximizing rehab time,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “So I got to get a couple extra hours there with the training staff. It was good.”

The leg injuries have limited Rodgers’ mobility. The two-time NFL MVP was still able to dissect the Seattle defense for 246 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-23 passing before leaving early in the fourth quarter with his team up by four scores.

“Oh yeah, I mean, Aaron Rodgers is as tough as anybody I’ve ever known,” McCarthy said.

He recalled one instance in Rodgers’ first season as the starter in 2008 when he sprained his right shoulder against Tampa. McCarthy wasn’t sure how limited Rodgers’ arm might be the next week against Atlanta.

Will Peterson play Sunday?

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Adrian Peterson was back on the practice field Wednesday for the first time in nearly three months, and the Minnesota Vikings hope their star running back can give them the jolt they need to chase down a playoff berth.

Peterson’s rehab of a torn meniscus in his right knee is nearly complete, allowing him to rejoin his teammates at practice as he ramps up for a highly anticipated return.

Wearing a black brace on his right knee, Peterson took handoffs from Sam Bradford, ran routes and went through some agility drills during the portion of practice that was open to media.

Peterson was not available for comment on Wednesday, but did tell a local website earlier in the week that he is still targeting the Dec. 24 game in Green Bay for his first game since the injury against those same Packers in Week 2.

Coach Mike Zimmer did not rule out Peterson playing against the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) on Sunday, but that appears optimistic at this point. Peterson said last week that he likely would not play in a game this year if the Vikings (7-6) were eliminated from the playoff hunt, but after beating Jacksonville last weekend they remain very much in the mix in the NFC.

“He’s been a leader on this team. He’s one of the best players in this league and he has been for quite some time,” Bradford said. “I think just having him back out at practice in the huddle, I think it’s a definite lift to our guys.”