Aaron Rodgers Could Miss 3 Weeks with Fractured Collarbone
Green Bay Packers fans everywhere gasped in unison when the team’s star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, went down with a shoulder injury on Green Bay’s first offensive series in Monday night’s 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears. They became even more worried when Rodgers did not return to the game and although they didn’t get particularly good news concerning Rodgers’ status on Tuesday, things certainly could have been much worse.
According to league sources, via ESPN.com, Rodgers suffered a fractured collarbone and could miss up to three weeks. However, both Rodgers and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said there is no exact timetable in place for his return and for now, the team will evaluate its options at the quarterback position on a “week-to-week” basis.
“We’re still going through the process of testing,” Rodgers said Tuesday on ESPN 540 in Milwaukee. “But we do know that the collarbone is fractured and we still have not talked about or discussed any long-term prognosis.”
After the injury initially occurred, the Packers organization and its fans were worried that Rodgers may miss the rest of the season – which would seriously jeopardize the team’s playoff hopes – but since Rodgers will not need surgery, there is a strong possibility he could return by Thanksgiving for Green Bay’s match-up against the Lions.
“I’m relieved, no doubt,” McCarthy said. “With the new information that was given today, everybody felt better about it. How long? We don’t have our hands around a timeline yet, but I know Aaron is very optimistic and he’ll do everything he can to get back in a timely fashion.”
After falling to 5-3 with Monday night’s loss, the Packers are now are in a three-way tie atop the NFC North Standings with the Bears and Lions. Although the offense was still able to move the ball on the ground with Eddie Lacy during Rodgers’ absence, it’s likely the Pack could fall into second – or even third place – in the next few weeks without the 2011 NFL MVP.
Still, knowing that Rodgers will return before the season it out should give fans hope that Green Bay can still make the postseason. However, with Jermichael Finley, Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb also currently out with injuries, wins will be tough to come by in the upcoming weeks for the Packers.
With Seneca Wallace starting for the Packers this week against the Eagles, I’d side with Philadelphia, even in the freezing cold at Lambeau Field. Look for Philly to cover +1 behind another strong performance from young QB Nick Foles.
