GREEN BAY -- It was a surprise based on where they started but not based on where they ended up by preseason's end: Seventh-round pick Matt Flynn has beaten out second-round pick Brian Brohm for the Green Bay Packers' backup quarterback job behind starter Aaron Rodgers.

Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement following Monday afternoon's practice, after meeting with both rookies in the morning and giving Flynn the second-string reps at practice.

"We just felt Matt was a little more productive than Brian in the preseason, but it's a competition that will continue," McCarthy said. "Matt has to hold the spot, and Brian will have an opportunity to get the spot back."

For the preseason, Flynn completed 27 of 42 passes (64.3 percent) for 209 yards, with three touchdowns, no interceptions and five sacks for a rating of 100.2. Brohm was 19-for-42 (45.2 percent) for 155 yards, with no touchdowns, one interception and four sacks for a 45.2 rating.

Throughout the exhibition games, Flynn showed a knack for making plays despite breakdowns in protection, while Brohm appeared to be pressing and struggling with his confidence.

"I like the way (Flynn) makes plays with his feet. He can get you out of a bad play," McCarthy said. "(He's) instinctive, very calm, his disposition is excellent. (He has good) pocket awareness and is comfortable in the pocket. I've been impressed with him so far."

Health watch

Run-stuffing defensive tackle Ryan Pickett practiced for the first time after missing all of camp with a hamstring injury and pronounced himself ready to play in Monday night's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.

"I felt pretty good. Getting back into the routine, I felt comfortable out there," Pickett said. "Everything went well today, and we'll keep building up until Monday."

Center Scott Wells (lower back) also was back in action, so Jason Spitz shifted back to right guard. Daryn Colledge worked some at left guard but with left tackle Chad Clifton sitting out team drills, Colledge worked in Clifton's place while Allen Barbre worked at left guard.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk (chest), wide receiver James Jones (right knee), guard Josh Sitton (left knee), safety Charlie Peprah (hamstring), linebacker Tracy White (ankle) and defensive end Jeremy Thompson (unknown) did not practice. Jones and Sitton were both wearing braces.

McCarthy said many of them won't practice until later in the week.

Extra points

The Packers practice today, have off Wednesday, then practice Thursday through Saturday. ... The release of linebacker Abdul Hodge, who led the team in tackles (20) in the preseason, was a surprise. General manager Ted Thompson said Hodge was among the players the personnel staff made calls on in search of a trading partner. ... Asked if he ever intended to carry seven linebackers on the roster, Thompson replied, "Sure. But at the end of the day, after a couple of days extra time to kind of think it out, we just felt like this was probably the best way to go."