GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers shrugged off a shaky beginning as Brett Favre’s replacement.
In his first start for the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers delivered a pair of scoring drives and a handful of highlights in a 20-17 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
And despite spending most of the past three seasons holding a clipboard, Rodgers didn’t show many signs of nerves in his first step out of Favre’s shadow. The Bengals tagged Rodgers for an early interception off of a deflected pass, but he recovered to complete 9 of 15 throws for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers was greeted warmly by fans before the game, with a significant portion giving him a standing ovation.
“I’ve always felt like we have the best fans in the NFL, and that they would support our team, regardless of how they feel about myself, or Brett, or management or whatever,” Rodgers said.
Notes
PANTHERS: Carolina has returned to training camp without top receiver Steve Smith, who sustained a concussion in the preseason opener. Smith did not practice Monday morning. Coach John Fox said only that he’s day-to-day.
RAIDERS: Oakland signed Adam Archuleta to a contract in a move to add depth to their defense. Archuleta was at the Raiders facility Monday morning and left with trainer Rod Martin to take a physical. Oakland released safety Greg Wesley to make room on the roster.
BILLS: Buffalo reserve offensive tackle Matt Murphy was driven to a hospital shortly after hurting his left shoulder during practice. Coach Dick Jauron didn’t have an immediate update on the severity of Murphy’s injury. He said the player was having tests.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville receiver Matt Jones pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine, a charge that carries up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Jones, who is free on a $2,500 bond, faces an Oct. 10 trial date — two days before the Jaguars play at Denver.
GIANTS: Five-plus years into his career with the New York Giants, offensive lineman David Diehl finally became a spectator.
In a league known for tackling, blocking and hitting, the starting left tackle missed his first NFL practice because of an injury.
The rarity happened on Sunday night when Diehl had to watch practice at training camp at the University of Albany because of bruised ribs.
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