According to Ian Rapoport, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has been playing with an avulsion fracture in his thumb. Rapoport added the injury is “more severe” than was previously made public and typically requires surgery.
An avulsion fracture is when a small piece of bone is pulled away in addition to a torn ligament.
Injuries have become a storyline in Rodgers’ 2022 season as the team continues to rack up the losses. The 38-year-old told reporters on Wednesday that he’d been playing through a broken right thumb, but wasn’t going to make it sideline him.
“It doesn’t make a difference with me playing,” he said. “It doesn’t make a difference. You saw the tape on my thumb. Didn’t make a difference.”
“I think I’ve had worse injuries I’ve played with,” he added. “Definitely a challenge, but the days off helped. Feeling better this week.”
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ESPN’s Rob Demovsky noted, the four-time NFL MVP “completed 69.7 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and three interceptions in the first five games of the season with the Packers at 3-2. In the next six, of which the Packers have won only one, his completion rate dropped to 62 percent with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.”
So far this year, Rodgers has thrown for 2,542 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 64.6 percent of his passes. These are nowhere near his statistical pace he set in each of his last two MVP-winning seasons.
The team is currently 4-7 and are now fighting for their playoff lives. If Rodgers is forced ot sit out, 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love will step up, but he only has eight career appearances with 484 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, completing 59.2 percent of his passes. The Packers are 0-1 in his lone start.
Rodgers will start Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles in what is likely a must-win game if the Packers are to keep playoff hopes alive into December.
