The Packers have not stated definitively what type of injury quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered on Monday night, and they’re not expected to have any announcement until he undergoes further tests today. But at the moment, it looks like Rodgers will miss about three weeks.
That’s the word from Adam Schefter of ESPN, who reports that initial tests showed a small fracture in Rodgers’ collarbone. The Packers’ medical staff will put Rodgers through a more thorough investigation today.
If Rodgers does miss three weeks, that would mean he’s out for Sunday against the Eagles, Week 11 at the Giants and Week 12 against the Vikings. He’d then be a close call to return for the Packers’ Thanksgiving game at Detroit, a game in which first place in the NFC North may be on the line.
Obviously, any injury to Rodgers is very bad news for the Packers, but given that schedule, the Packers may actually breathe a sigh of relief if Rodgers only misses three games. It’s not unrealistic to think Green Bay could go 2-1 against the Eagles, Giants and Vikings without Rodgers, and if they get Rodgers back and complete a season sweep of the Lions on Thanksgiving, they’ll be in very good shape in their division heading into December.
However, a report from Ed Werder of ESPN sounded less optimistic. Although Werder’s source said there’s simply no way to know about Rodgers’ status based on the tests that have been done so far, that source said, “It doesn’t look good. This is the one we couldn’t afford to lose.”
No injury to Rodgers looks good. But if the tests today confirm that Rodgers is out three weeks, the Packers would still have every reason to be optimistic about the rest of the season.