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Aaron Rodgers cleared to practice; will he return this year?

When Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone earlier this season, most observers figured the Packers were done until 2018. But a few hopeful, possibly delusional souls thought that maybe, just maybe, Rodgers could return in the 2017 season and do the kind of typically Aaron Rodgers-esque thing where he seizes victory from the jaws of certain defeat.

Well, here we are several weeks later, and the Packers are 5-6 and all but out of the running for a playoff spot. But Rodgers has been cleared to practice again, per Ian Rapoport:

That means Rodgers might be able to return as soon as Week 15 against the Panthers. Could he? Should he?

Realistically, hell no. Brett Hundley has been a serviceable replacement—he nearly led the Packers to an upset win over the Steelers last week—but the Packers currently sit two games behind, and four spots below, the Atlanta Falcons for the sixth and final playoff seed. (The NFC North title is well out of reach; Minnesota has nine wins to Green Bay’s five.)

So while it would be a pleasant dream for Green Bay fans to see Rodgers out there balling, the most likely, and prudent, scenario keeps him on the sidelines … and, of course, turning Bears faithful into Packers fans, one at a time.

Aaron Rodgers might come back this season. (AP)
Aaron Rodgers might come back this season. (AP)

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.