Packers coach defends injured Rodgers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy defended the injured Aaron Rodgers on Monday after the team suffered its third successive defeat.

The 24-year-old quarterback, in his fourth NFL season, had been doubtful for Sunday's 27-24 loss by the Atlanta Falcons due to a sprained shoulder.

Rodgers gave a gutsy performance against the Falcons, completing 25 of 37 passes with three touchdowns.

"He was in a lot of pain," McCarthy told a news conference. "For him to go out and throw the ball the way he did and to play the way he did is a tribute to him."

However, a late interception by Michael Boley set up a touchdown which gave Atlanta a 27-17 lead.

"The biggest negative was the interception," added McCarthy.

The quarterback has been under the microscope all season after replacing future Hall of Famer Brett Favre.

Rodgers has not only had the pressure of replacing Favre, he came in after the Packers recorded a 13-3 season in 2007.

McCarthy said he would keep Rodgers out of practice until at least Thursday in order for his injury to heal.

"We're going into the week planning that Aaron will play (against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday)," added McCarthy.

"We'll try to keep his throws as limited as we possibly can over the course of the week. We'll see where we are on Thursday."

(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington, editing by Tony Jimenez)