GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers stayed afloat in the postseason race while hoping for nearly two months that Aaron Rodgers would return.

News that the two-time NFL MVP was cleared medically to come back from a collarbone injury finally arrived Tuesday night, coming a bit later than coach Mike McCarthy hoped — but well worth the wait for the playoff-hopeful Packers.

Rodgers is in line to start this weekend against the Carolina Panthers.

“The strength and the flexibility came back the quickest,” Rodgers said after practice Wednesday. “It was just waiting on the bone to be ready to play.”

That clearance finally came on Tuesday night. He didn’t want to go into detail about how much his surgically repaired collarbone had healed.

He’s aware of the risks.

“Well, we’ve talked about everything, and I’m confident knowing all the information. That’s why I’m going to play,” Rodgers said.

So it’s back to a normal week of preparation for the quarterback after making what McCarthy had considered great progress in rehab since getting hurt Oct. 15.

The Packers (7-6) went 3-4 with backup Brett Hundley starting to stay in the playoff race, including a 27-21 victory in overtime last week over Cleveland. They are one of four teams with at least seven wins chasing Atlanta for the second wild-card berth in the NFC.

The path to the playoffs remains tough. But Rodgers’ return gives an emotional boost to the locker room.