Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has insisted that deciding not to play Aaron Rodgers on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys is for the player's own good.

Rodgers has been out for six weeks with a broken collarbone and, despite returning to practice, he has been ruled out of the week 15 clash.

"Hey, it's not the easiest thing to sit there and tell your franchise quarterback he can't play in the game when he wants to play in the game," McCarthy told Philly.com.

"This is clearly a decision that's made in the best interest of Aaron Rodgers."

Rodgers's last game was on November 4.