GREEN BAY – A pair of wry smiles awaited Aaron Rodgers as the Packers quarterback stepped out of the Don Hutson Center and onto the practice field Thursday afternoon.

His backups, DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle, greeted the two-time NFL MVP with a round of applause in tongue-in-cheek recognition of Rodgers' first Thursday practice in pads since injuring his knee in the season opener against Chicago.

Rodgers played right along with the gesture, taking off his helmet and waving appreciatively to an imaginary crowd like he was walking off No. 18 at Augusta National.

It was a fitting way to welcome Rodgers back to padded practice. Since leading a remarkable comeback in the opener against the Bears two weeks ago, Rodgers' only on-field work had come during the team's final, non-padded Saturday practice.

Rodgers' second-half performance against Chicago – 17-of-23 for 273 yards and three touchdowns – spurred Boyle to buy a No. 12 jersey from the Packers Pro Shop and proudly wear it around the facility the next day. With Rodgers back in pads Thursday, his understudy made sure to christen the moment in an appropriate manner.

"I looked at DeShone and was like, 'Let's give him a little bit of something,' and he played into it," Boyle said. "It's all good. All supporting each other and making sure he gets what he needs for the game Sunday."

All kidding aside, the Packers were happy to have Rodgers back in the Thursday rotation. With Jimmy Graham (knee) also back after sitting out Wednesday, Green Bay had all of its offensive starters on the field besides right guard Justin McCray (shoulder).

Rodgers said he was hopeful to practice again "at some point" prior to Saturdays when speaking to the media Wednesday, and Thursday turned out to be that day.