Rodgers is back, will start against Bears

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return to start Sunday's game for the NFC North title against the Chicago Bears.

Coach Mike McCarthy announced Thursday that Rodgers will be back after missing seven games because of a left- collarbone injury.

Green Bay (7-7-1) is 2-5-1 since Rodgers went down during the first series of a 27-20 loss Nov. 4 to Chicago. But the Packers have managed to hang on with a shot to win a third straight division title with a victory over the Bears at Soldier Field.

"We're preparing for the Chicago Bears with Aaron Rodgers as our starting quarterback," McCarthy said.

The Packers have been riddled by injuries. Linebacker Clay Matthews is out again with a right thumb injury. Running back Eddie Lacy is hobbled by an ankle injury, though McCarthy is optimistic about the rookie's chances to go Sunday.

The NFL Network reported that Penn State coach Bill O'Brien has agreed to an interview with the Houston Texans. The team had already identified O'Brien as one of the top candidates to fill their coaching job, according to sources familiar with the team's process.

Former all-pro cornerback and Eagle Nnamdi Asomugha will retire after 11 years in the NFL. The Raiders said Asomugha would announce his retirement officially at a news conference at team headquarters Friday.

Asomugha had his greatest success in the NFL with the Raiders after being drafted in the first round out of California in 2003. He earned three Pro Bowl selections in eight seasons in Oakland and was a first-team all-pro in 2008 and 2010.

Asomugha struggled after joining the Eagles as a high-profile free agent in 2011. After two seasons with the Eagles, Asomugha played three games with San Francisco this season before being cut last month.

Bills rookie receiver Robert Woods was fined $15,000 by the NFL for punching Dolphins safety Reshad Jones in Sunday's Buffalo-Miami game.

- Associated Press