The Green Bay Packers are preparing for life without quarterback Aaron Rodgers. At least for the short term.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Rodgers suffered a small break in his collarbone in Monday night's 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Rodgers addressed the injury on his weekly radio program on ESPNMilwaukee.com, saying, "We do know that the collarbone is fractured. We still have not talked or discussed the long-term prognosis."
Rodgers exited the Bears tilt on Green Bay's opening drive with what was described as a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury, the result of a drive-stalling sack by Chicago pass rusher Shea McClellin.
"It was considerably more pain than I've felt in a long time," Rodgers went on to say. "I wasn't able to throw like I wanted to."
Packers backup Seneca Wallace was little more than an Eddie Lacy handoff machine with Rodgers watching from the sideline in sweats. Expect Green Bay to shop around for legitimate quarterback help with its best player out of the mix.
It's a devastating loss for a Packers team that fell into a three-way tie for first place Monday night with the Bears and Detroit Lions. The much-improved ground game will be leaned on, but there's no way to mask the absence of the NFL's finest passer. Rodgers exited the game with 15 touchdowns and just four picks on the season.
If only Brett Favre were five years younger.
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