NFL notes: Aaron Rodgers' status remains unclear

Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday. It doesn't mean he is going to play.

There was no definitive word on whether Rodgers will be medically cleared to return from his left collarbone injury in time for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was just another day in the guessing game called "When Will the Franchise Quarterback Return" for the Packers.

Coach Mike McCarthy indicated he would name his starter Friday.

Flat out, Aaron: Will you be playing Sunday?

"It's a medical decision, it's an organizational decision," said Rodgers, who is listed as "limited" on the official practice report.

Backup Matt Flynn took the majority of the reps Thursday, McCarthy said.

Rodgers hasn't played since getting knocked out of the first series of a 27-20 loss Nov. 4 to the Bears.

Green Bay started 0-4-1 without him before rallying for two straight come-from-behind victories to get back into the NFC North race.

Harbaugh says he's happy with Niners

Yes, Jim Harbaugh wants to coach the San Francisco 49ers for years to come. No, he doesn't want to discuss a contract extension in a public forum.

Harbaugh twice said he "absolutely" wants to stay put coaching the 49ers for the long haul. The third-year NFL coach signed a $25 million, five-year contract when he left Stanford to take over the 49ers in January 2011. 49ers CEO Jed York said this week that he would like to hammer out a new deal for Harbaugh during the offseason.

There has been speculation the University of Texas might pursue Harbaugh to replace Mack Brown. —

Week 16 schedule

Sunday

Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 11 a.m.

Indianapolis at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

Denver at Houston, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

Miami at Buffalo, 11 a.m.

New Orleans at Carolina, 11 a.m.

Dallas at Washington, 11 a.m.

Cleveland at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m.

Minnesota at Cincinnati, 11 a.m.

Tennessee at Jacksonville, 11 a.m.

Arizona at Seattle, 2:05 p.m., Ch. 13

N.Y. Giants at Detroit, 2:05 p.m.

Oakland at San Diego, 4225 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Green Bay, 2:25 p.m.

New England at Baltimore, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2

Chicago at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5

Monday

Atlanta at San Francisco, 6:40 p.m., ESPN