For a while, the discussion was always about him, the rookie center, going up against some behemoth he hadn't faced before.

Sheldon Richardson. Ndamukong Suh. Fletcher Cox. Vince Wilfork.

Or playing in some venue that would test his ability to make line calls and snap the ball on time.

CenturyLink Field. Ford Field. The Superdome. Ralph Wilson Stadium.

But Corey Linsley is practically a veteran after making 15 consecutive starts for the Green Bay Packers, and when the Detroit Lions come to town Sunday he'll have had the luxury — if it's ever a luxury — of facing Suh once before.

It's one thing to study Suh on video all week and another to face him. Now, Linsley has an even better idea what he's up against.

"I'm fortunate to have already played him and gained some knowledge on how to play against him," Linsley said Wednesday. "I just have to take what I've learned and apply it and get better."

Linsley, who is able to combat strength with strength, said if you think Suh is just about bull-rushing or swatting guys away, you're missing his best qualities. His strength combined with speed and suddenness make him one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.

"Everyone talks about his strength but what makes him so good...I guess they always talk about that speed to power," Linsley said. "He can hit you with a quick move and then all of a sudden he's got his hands in your pads pushing you back.

"I feel his quickness comes with power."

Linsley also will get another opportunity to see one of the players in his center draft class make a start.

It first happened against New England in November when Bryan Stork was in the infancy of his NFL starting career with the Patriots. By that time, Linsley was a grizzled veteran.

This week, Linsley hosts another rookie center, Travis Swanson. The former Arkansas Razorback will make his first start at center in place of suspended Dominic Raiola when the Packers and Lions meet for the NFC North title Sunday.

"I think Travis is a heck of a lineman and I think he should have gone higher (in the draft)," Linsley said. "He's done a really good job this year (at guard). Travis is a great guy. He's really smart. I think he's going to do well."

Making progress: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was able to participate in some parts of practice and now will have two days to rest his injured left calf.

On Tuesday Rodgers did only a couple of mostly stationary drills, but Wednesday he expanded his work and was able to take some snaps and throw the ball around, coach Mike McCarthy said.

When reporters entered the Don Hutson Center to watch the beginning of practice, Rodgers was walking away to the training room with his cleats in his hand. He did not return before the media was required to leave.

McCarthy said Rodgers had a planned treatment session between periods.

"Aaron was playing today," McCarthy said. "Obviously, he was listed as limited. He did all the pre-practice work, no-huddle and then we had a segment there in practice where he was able to get some rehab done.

"And then he was back outside for the team stuff. He basically got done what he needed to get done today and he's getting better."

Asked whether Rodgers took snaps, McCarthy said. "Yeah, absolutely. He threw the ball around."

Rodgers was listed as a limited participant on the injury report.

The only player listed as did not participate was cornerback Davon House.

For the Lions, receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) and defensive tackle Nick Fairley did not participate. Johnson is expected to play and Fairley isn't.

Ho, ho, ho: Santa Claus came a little early for some members of the Packers.

All the members of the offensive line, practice squad players included, received new 55-inch LED curved screen TVs, courtesy of Rodgers.

The defensive backs also were visited. Each of them had a new pair of Ugg boots, courtesy of cornerback Sam Shields.

"This will be the new TV in my household," JC Tretter said. "He said that we had Christmas presents coming, and when we came in there they were. Very nice. It was nice of him and very nice presents. It was an exciting moment, an exciting morning."

Shields also showed appreciation for his teammates. According to rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the present was equally appreciated as the big screens.

"I already have a TV at home," he said.