Packers QB Aaron Rodgers undergoes surgery on broken collarbone
GREEN BAY - Quarterback Aaron Rodgers underwent surgery Thursday to repair his broken collarbone, according to a source, setting in motion a recovery the Green Bay Packers hope will include a return to the playing field this season.
NFL Network reported the news first.
Rodgers broke his right collarbone in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings after absorbing a hit from linebacker Anthony Barr, landing hard on his right side. He quickly was evaluated in the blue medical tent along the sideline before riding to the locker room on a cart.
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The Packers announced the broken collarbone early in the third quarter, adding the caveat that he may miss the remainder of the season. There is still a chance Rodgers could return for the latter stages of the regular season, and at the moment he remains on the Packers’ 53-man roster. But coach Mike McCarthy told reporters this week that Rodgers had suffered a serious injury and would be sidelined indefinitely.
“He’ll be out a minimum — a significant amount of time and potentially the season could be over,” McCarthy said Monday. “So, he’ll have surgery here in the near future and after we see how that goes. We’ll focus on getting Aaron healthy. That’s all that really matters right now.”
With the surgery complete, the Packers can begin formulating a timetable for recovery and make their roster decisions accordingly. Nothing had been announced as of Thursday evening, and it’s also unclear where the procedure took place or who performed the surgery.
Teammates said Rodgers was in good spirits this week despite his absence from the facility.
“I think (he’s doing) pretty good for the situation,” wide receiver Jordy Nelson said. “Obviously what I experienced two years ago, I kind of understand what he’s going through. I think he kind of reacted similar to it. You’re a little upset to begin with (as it all hits you) and then obviously still dealing with pain and the injury.
“So I think whatever his schedule is and when he’s getting things done, I think that will be another big step. Then you kind of get over the hump and see the light at the end of the tunnel type thing. But I talked to him on Monday and Tuesday, so I was actually happy with the way he’s handling everything because it can wear on us too when you see someone down or something like that. So I think it’s big that he keeps a smile on his face, even if it’s fake.”