McCarthy knew about Rodgers' knee injury

INDIANAPOLIS – Mike McCarthy said he was aware of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ knee injury that required offseason surgery, and it might have affected a game plan or two during the season.

The injury didn’t have a major impact on Rodgers’ season. The two-time MVP quarterback played in all 16 games, the second straight year he avoided missing any. At first glance, the knee injury didn't seem to limit Rodgers' mobility, though he did have fewer carries later in the season.

Rodgers also was never listed on the team’s injury report because of the knee. His lone appearance on the injury report came in November because of a sore shoulder.

In what was a poor season compared to his high standard, Rodgers said playing in all 16 games was a particular point of pride. Clearly, it wasn’t easy. McCarthy was asked Thursday how much Rodgers’ injury might have affected his play.

“I’ll just say I was aware of it,” McCarthy said. “At times, it may have adjusted a direction or two in a game or two, just kind of the way you went. But he never complained about it. It didn’t surprise me that he needed to get surgery. He’s played a lot of football.”

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While Rodgers threw for 3,821 yards, 31 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, his numbers were down from past seasons. There was plenty of adversity around him. Jordy Nelson’s season-ending torn ACL left the Packers without a No. 1 receiving threat. Running back Eddie Lacy arrived at training camp overweight and never recovered.

It’s also worth noting that Rodgers was less than optimal health, something that can be added to the list of reasons last season went poorly.

McCarthy said he doesn’t expect Rodgers to be limited during organized team activities this spring. The quarterback recently participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, showing how far his knee has come since surgery.

“Hell, the way he’s hitting the golf ball,” McCarthy said, “I think he would be ready to go.”

rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood