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While admiring Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tom Brady’s longevity, Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers doesn’t expect to play as long

Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers, left, is hit after making a catch by Chicago Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell on Sundayin Green Bay, Wis. (AP photo)

TAMPA, Fla. — While Aaron Rodgers has a deep appreciation for what Tom Brady has accomplished during an unparalleled NFL career, he doesn’t see himself following the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s lead of playing well into his 40s.

“I’ll be doing something else. I have a lot of other interests outside the game,” Rodgers said, looking ahead to only the fifth head-to-head matchup of teams led by the star quarterbacks, who also are friends off the field.

“Game’s been really really good to me. I feel I’ve given my all to the game,” the 38-year-old Rodgers added. “At some point, it’ll be time to do something else, and I strongly believe that’ll be before 45.”

Brady’s already won two Super Bowls in his 40s. Less than six weeks after retiring in February, he announced he was returning for a 23rd season to pursue “unfinished business” with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who host Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The league’s all-time passing leader turned 45 during training camp. What impresses Rodgers most about Brady’s longevity is how well he continues to play.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts to a call during the second half of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 3, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP file photo)

“The consistency where you’re still playing at a high level and there’s not the drop-off. Every great player fears turning into a real below-average player on the way out. I don’t think anybody wants to really hang on,” said Rodgers, who’s in his 18th season — all with the Packers.

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INJURIES ABOUND

The injury report released Friday ruled Green Bay’s Sammy Watkins and Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin out for Sunday’s game at Tampa. The Buccaneers already were planning to play without wide receiver Mike Evans

, who received a one-game suspension for his role in an on-field brawl during the Bucs’ 20-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Godwin will be missing a second straight game. Watkins played Sunday night and had three catches for 93 yards in the Packers’ 27-10 triumph over the Chicago Bears.

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