Rodgers, Lacy and Nelson sit against Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Packers held out quarterback Aaron Rodgers and two other key offensive starters from Saturday night's preseason opener against Tennessee at coach Mike McCarthy's discretion.

McCarthy presumably didn't want to expose Rodgers, receiver Jordy Nelson and running back Eddie Lacy to injury, though he said the desire to get No. 4 quarterback Chase Rettig playing time in the fourth quarter also was a factor in not playing Rodgers.

"Historically, I felt like I haven't done a good job getting the fourth quarterback reps, so we made a point to make sure our young players had the whole fourth quarter," McCarthy said. "I wanted to give Chase an opportunity. Scott (Tolzien), I sense Scott may have been short-(changed) a little bit with the reps compared to him and Matt (Flynn), so we'll see how that goes next week.

"I feel like Aaron's had an excellent camp, a phenomenal spring. He would have played one series tonight. So it was really about getting Chase the work in the whole fourth quarter."

Flynn started in place of Rodgers; Jarrett Boykin started in place of Nelson, and rookie Davante Adams moved up to the No. 3 receiver; and James Starks started for Lacy.

Receiver Jeff Janis (shingles) was active after returning to full-contact work in practice only on Wednesday. Running Michael Hill (concussion) also played.

The rest of the Packers' inactive players didn't make the trip to Tennessee because of injuries: safeties Tanner Miller (ankle) and Morgan Burnett (oblique), tight end Colt Lyerla (knee), offensive lineman Don Barclay (knee), receiver Jared Abbrederis (knee), and defensive linemen Letroy Guion (hamstring) and Jerel Worthy (back).

Rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix started in place of Burnett. The Packers wanted to take a long look at Clinton-Dix and second-year pro Micah Hyde, who are battling for a starting job, so the two played the entire first half.