Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Will Start Sunday in Carolina
Things are going to look a little different under center for the Green Bay Packers this Sunday in Carolina.
On Tuesday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced via his Instagram account that he had been medically cleared by the team's training staff to return to the field.
Rodgers hasn't played since breaking the clavicle in his throwing shoulder on Oct. 15 against the Minnesota Vikings, undergoing surgery four days later and subsequently being placed on injured reserve on Oct. 20.
After waiting for a majority of the day, many expected the announcement for Rodgers' return to come on Wednesday during coach Mike McCarthy's press conference. However, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that a decision on Rodgers playing was expected to be made sometime Tuesday night.
The Packers needed to keep their season afloat with Brett Hundley, who started their last seven games and led the Packers to a 3-4 record, including rattling off overtime wins in back-to-back weeks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. They needed to win those two games, specifically, to stay alive in the NFC playoff race.
With their backs to the wall, a Hundley-led Packers team managed to stay relevant long enough to give Rodgers a reason to return.
In the midst of his clearance, this all but proves that the Packers' training staff and coaches alike feel relatively positive about their playoff chances. If the Packers can get to 10 wins -- they'd have to win their final three to do so -- then the New York Times' Playoff Predictor gives them a 92 percent chance of making the postseason.
Now with Rodgers, the Packers join an NFC playoff race that looks an outright dominant team.
The Philadelphia Eagles just lost MVP-contending quarterback Carson Wentz to a torn ACL, the Minnesota Vikings could be hitting a speed bump with Case Keenum at the helm and the Los Angeles Rams are under the guidance of a young head coach and quarterback duo with no playoff experience between them.
If there was ever a good time for Rodgers to return and help the Packers "run the table" for the second straight season, this is it.
This isn't to guarantee the Packers will manage to win out. The Panthers, Vikings and Detroit Lions at Ford Field won't be an easy task, with or without Rodgers. But, if there's anyone who gives them a fighting chance, it's the guy wearing No. 12 in Green Bay.
Before his injury, Rodgers had thrown for 13 touchdowns and three interceptions in six starts, completing 66.3 percent of his passes. His passer rating had eclipsed 122.0 in back-to-back games entering the week 6 meeting with the Vikings. Rodgers and the Packers will face the same Vikings team that sidelined him to injured reserve in week 16 at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers is eligible to be activated from IR to the active roster on Friday, Dec. 15, just under two weeks after he practiced with the team for the first time since his initial injury.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (30)
ShanghaiKid
December 13, 2017 at 01:50 am
Still think it’s not the right move, but my goodness will it be great to have 12 back on the field!
CAG123
December 13, 2017 at 02:08 am
Am I the only one NOT excited about this move and don’t want this team to make the playoffs? I don’t want this year to be looked at as a success and they bring Capers back because they wouldn’t want to make any major changes
croatpackfan
December 13, 2017 at 02:27 am
Only losers can root for losing...
Few draft positions will mean noithing. It is not that team can be in first 15 position of the draft, so calm down...
There be 3 good matches and, even if Packers run the table, there is no guarantee that they will jump to playoffs...
NickPerry
December 13, 2017 at 05:34 am
I know you never blame the draft position for Thompson's failures Croat but there's plenty of people on this site will use that VERY EXCUSE next season after he mucks up another first few rounds of the draft. Give Ted your injured, your square pegs to put in round holes, and GOD FORBID he's not from a West Coast School!!!!!
croatpackfan
December 13, 2017 at 08:22 am
Nick, I understand your hostility towards TT, but if you look at just 4 last drafts, there is some very good picks made by Packers Personnel department... I think Ha-Ha, Damarious Randall, Kenny Clark and Kevin King will become excellent players for Packers...
On the other hand, I know for certain that process of picking players are never ever in the hands of one man. Well, there is someone who has the last word and who takes responsibility for decissions, but process how Personnel department selecting players is always group selection.
I know that many Packers fans think that Elliott Wolf, Brian Gutekunst, Alonzo Highsmith, Jon-Eric Sullivan, John Wojciechowski, etc comes to TT and tell him their choices for the pick and than TT says something like: "No, I will pick this player, no player all of you suggest!"
Please, grow up and understand that there is no successful bussiness where dictator runs the bussiness alone... That is why Personnel department exists. TT is just that person who makes final decission and take responsibilities for those decissions...
Same is with process of reducing rosters to 53.
Please, understand that there is no man who deciding by himself only...
canadapacker
December 13, 2017 at 10:31 pm
I have been saying this for years - ever since the Brian Brohm fiasco. It is all about the scouts and the people who check out the character of the draft picks ( and perhaps they should have done a better job on both Kendricks and Bennett before they were signed). But our scouting department may need some additions. As done our front office - we have lost so many top guys to other teams it is hard not to think that the new guys are not as good - Mackenzie, Schneider, Dorsey. But of more concern is that MM has turned over too many junior guys over the years and therefore there is no heir apparent ( I mean - somebody who could be a coach for another team - or a DC or OC for that matter) Tom Clement probably was the closest to and he couldnt make a season play calling. And we say what happened to MacDoo.
But I digress - back to the scouting end of the organization ---
Who is the Packers main QB scout as they obviously have missed on a bunch. Also if one looks at both Tolzein and Matt Flynn , it appears that the Packers QB school is not really that good. They perform relatively well in the Packers system but not elsewhere - name a QB that has come out of Green Bay since #4 left us? At least back then GB put Hassleback Brunnell, Brooks and even Detmer won games for the other teams that they play for.
On to Hundley - think that he may have some mental issues as he has shown - but he can win games and maybe they should look at keeping him past his rookie contract. He appears to be a better fit than trying to bring in a so called experienced vet as some have suggested that it is time to do.
CAG123
December 13, 2017 at 10:06 am
No you might want to calm down bitch! Where in my comment did I say anything about a damn draft pick? I’m strictly talking about Capers being brought in for another’s season if this season is viewed as a success. Hell anything could happen and the chips could fall in place for the Pack and before we know it it’s another 10-6 season and a spot in the playoffs.
croatpackfan
December 13, 2017 at 11:34 am
Thank you for your kind words...
Those words tells a lot of you.
dobber
December 13, 2017 at 05:06 am
First off...I'm glad the drama is over. Second...I'm always rooting for the Packers to win regardless of the situation. I'm never happy to see them lose. I can look for silver linings in losses (draft position, etc.) but never wanting them to lose.
GBPDAN1
December 13, 2017 at 02:31 am
Sundays just became more fun! No matter what the outcome is, I love watching Rodgers play. I would love to see Rodgers beat the Vikings at home..(keeping them out of the first round bye seeding would be sweet revenge).
marpag1
December 13, 2017 at 04:58 am
Touchdown celebrations are back in, you know. Maybe that means Davante Adams can channel his "Inner Randy" and pretend to moon the Vikings bench after scoring a few TDs.
NickPerry
December 13, 2017 at 05:53 am
Jordy Nelson just became relevant in the passing game again. I'm not super excited to watch Rodgers have to deal with the pass rush of the Panthers and Vikings with Spriggs at RT, even though he's been better the last few weeks. I just have a hard time trusting him and believe me the Panthers and especially the Vikings will be targeting Spriggs with all sort of blitz's.
It will also be interesting to see how much McCarthy continues to use his new found running game. IMO the running game be one of the best friends Rodgers could have in his return, anything to slow down the pass rush of the Panthers and the Vikings.
Savage57
December 13, 2017 at 07:36 am
Imagine the irony if Peppers eats up Spriggs on his way to sacking Rodgers, re-breaking his collarbone.
Since'61
December 13, 2017 at 11:45 am
A tragedy worthy of Shakespeare! Great post, as usual Savage. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
December 13, 2017 at 07:51 am
I fully expect the Packers to come out in 11 personnel (what else?) and use a TE to help on Spriggs's side pretty often against Carolina and Minnesota. People might be surprised to learn that Minnesota has 32 sacks on the season...only one ahead of the Packers at 31. Carolina on the other hand averages a little over 3 sacks per game and it will be hard to keep ARod clean on Sunday.
Whether the Packers win or lose at Carolina this week, I have a feeling Anthony Barr better be playing with his head on a swivel when the Vikings come to Lambeau next week.
RCPackerFan
December 13, 2017 at 07:53 am
Wait, that can't be true... Minnesota has the world best defense and the Packers have the worlds worst defense from things I read. How is that true?
And the Packers are only 1 sack behind the Seahawks?
And how is that the Packers have more interceptions then the Vikings?
croatpackfan
December 13, 2017 at 08:29 am
You must be reading wrong authors...
While I really think there was defensive embarrassment outing through the 3 quarters of Cleveland game, Packers D is not that bad as many wants to show...
dobber
December 13, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Aggregate stats don't always tell the whole story... ;)
Finwiz
December 13, 2017 at 08:58 am
Yeah, there was one play against Cleveland where 78 double team a man with the guard to his left, and let the edge rusher run free for a hit on Hundley. I was like 'wtf were you thinking there dude'? At least be assignment sure, the physical part isn't always going to win the day, but study and know what you're supposed to do.
Lphill
December 13, 2017 at 05:54 am
If only Hundley could have squeezed out 1 more win that would have made a big difference, I don't see them making the playoffs but would be nice to beat the Vikings if that would keep them from having home field. With Weintz out now it might not matter.
NickPerry
December 13, 2017 at 06:27 am
For most it seems the Bears are most Packers fans most hated rival, for me it's the Vikings without a doubt. Growing up in Minneapolis a Packers fan in the 70's and 80's just wasn't a lot of fun. The Vikings winning a SB or even getting to a SB is a nightmare I don't want to see in my lifetime again. After THIS season with Rodgers getting injured IN Minnesota, wouldn't it be something to see the Vikings lose out and the Packers winning out to steal the North.
Handsback
December 13, 2017 at 07:29 am
If Green Bay can beat the Viks...I'll be happy. If they beat both the Viks and Lions, I'll be ecstatic.
If Green Bay runs the table, Rodgers should be the MVP regardless how they do in the playoffs.
egbertsouse
December 13, 2017 at 08:11 am
Packers management=Morons.
dobber
December 13, 2017 at 08:48 am
Clearing ARod to play is not a management decision. It's a medical one.
He hasn't been activated from IR, yet. He hasn't set foot on the field in a game, yet. When those things happen, you can complain about management.
Finwiz
December 13, 2017 at 09:01 am
Perfectly logical response.
You, RC, Bearmeat, and Since '61, top four of 5 best posters around here.
Christmas came early (hopefully), let's all have a merry one.
pacman
December 13, 2017 at 08:27 am
My guess much of it came down to AR's desire to play. Understandable on his part.
Actually, understandable by MM & DC too - to save their jobs. Though, it does appear any hope of firing MM is gone now that the team showed how good they are (by needing overtime to beat 2 of the worst teams~).
Since when does everybody use the NY Times' odds?
Since'61
December 13, 2017 at 11:47 am
Rodgers self proclaimed return is interesting. Was he actually cleared or given a choice that he could play if he chose to risk it? It doesn't matter because he is going to play anyway but I for one would have preferred an announcement from the medical team or Doc McKenzie.
At least Rodgers give us a chance over the next 3 games playoffs or not. It will be better to watch Rodgers extend some drives rather than watching Hundley go 3 and out after the scripted first drive for 2 1/2 quarters.
Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones should be ARs new best friends and hopefully they will take some pressure off of Rodgers. AR will also utilize all of his weapons which will make it difficult for the Panthers to double on Adams.
Good to have Rodgers back. Can the defense hold up their end? We'll see. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
December 13, 2017 at 08:52 am
I agree that I thought it was odd that ARod was allowed to essentially make the announcement. I can't believe he would have without the blessing of management.
In the end, even if it was a "you can play if you want to" decision, he had to be medically in that realm. If he's not close enough to reasonably play, my guess is that doctors would be pretty vocal about it. If the final assessment from some medical professionals was "you're not ready", I'm sure that will leak out pretty quickly.
Couch Cleats
December 13, 2017 at 09:55 am
I will be holding my breath every time 12 drops back for the next few weeks. I was partially hoping like most that the Pack not make the playoffs so that we could preserve 12, get a higher draft slot and hopefully, get rid of Dom.
Still, when Adams broke that tackle and won the game Sunday my natural reaction was to jump up and scream YES!
I think we have to understand that it's a business and if the best player in the league is healthy enough to play then you have to put him out there. Considering how much his game checks are and how much fans pay for tickets and advertisers pay for commercials . . . it just has to be done.
I also agree with the sentiment that only losers play to lose. It's a bad look and a bad philosophy especially if you are not yet eliminated.
You could tell how much Rodgers wanted the win in Cleveland so he could have a chance. I believe 100% that he thinks he can smoke any team, anywhere, anytime and that's what makes him so much fun to watch and so dangerous to every other team. As a team, they had no business beating the Cowboys last year but 12 sent them home anyway.
I ultimately think that the secondary will end the run again, especially with the injuries, but lets see it actually happen instead of assuming it will and throwing in the towel.
jfreier
December 13, 2017 at 01:23 pm
So he's all ready to take hits, is he?