What’s the latest on Aaron Rodgers’ knee injury?
The Packers’ superstar was injured early against the Bears, then returned to lead a 20-point comeback. But his status for Week 2 is “day to day.”
The Green Bay Packers’ season got off to a scary start when Aaron Rodgers went down with another injury. Luckily, he came back in the second half ... and engineered a 20-point comeback that gave the Packers a 24-23 win. Oh, he did that without being able to put weight on his injured leg too. Not too bad!
His status for Week 2 against the Vikings remains “day to day,” however.
What are the Packers saying about Rodgers’ injury?
“Obviously there’s the hope of playing,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday, via the Packers’ official team site. “He’ll be given the whole week to get ready. We’ll take it day by day and learn as we go.”
Rodgers said that is injury is a “sprained knee” that he was able to play through.
“There was a lot of adrenaline,” he told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky on Wednesday, “and (it’s) pretty sore the last three days.”
He added that his knee has been gradually feeling better, though.
It seems more than likely Rodgers will be out there Sunday. Not only is the game a pivotal early-season NFC North showdown, but Rodgers told NBC’s Michele Tafoya that he would be playing in Week 2. McCarthy also said Monday that Rodgers was “driven” to play against the Vikings.
Still, until Rodgers goes through his rehab this week, we won’t know for sure — even if Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is:
#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on if he’s preparing for Aaron Rodgers to start for #Packers: “Yeah. He walks on water so I’m sure he’s gonna play.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 12, 2018
McCarthy said that backup DeShone Kizer would take most of the practice reps this week, with an emphasis on ball security.
How did Rodgers get hurt?
The Packers quarterback hurt his knee on third-down play early in the second quarter on Sunday night against the Bears. He attempted to get up after being tackled, but fell down to the ground again shortly after attempting to walk off the field.
Once on the sideline, Rodgers went into the medical tent for evaluation. Eventually, he would be carted off the field:
#Packers are taking Aaron Rodgers to the locker room now. He's getting on a cart.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 10, 2018
The Packers ruled him questionable to return:
QB Aaron Rodgers has a knee injury & his return is questionable. #CHIvsGB
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 10, 2018
Kizer would come in for the Packers on Green Bay’s next series. Kizer completed 4 of 7 passes for 55 yards, but he also lost a fumble and gave up a pick-six, both to Khalil Mack.
Kizer joined the Packers in 2018, but saw no action after spending his rookie season with the Browns. In 15 starts with the Browns, Kizer completed just under 54 percent of his passes for 2,900 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions.
Randall Cobb is the emergency third quarterback.
How was Rodgers able to return against the Bears?
After the game, Rodgers gave Tafoya a little more information about what happened with his knee.
“I felt something in it. I had a hard time putting weight on it. Doc and I had a conversation in there, we did the tests, I told him I was going back,” Rodgers said.
“I went in the locker room, did all the tests ... trying to get it loosened up. I knew once I got back on the field and the adrenaline started going, I’d be able to hang in there.”
Rodgers came back after halftime wearing a knee brace:
His mobility was noticeably limited with the brace, but Rodgers was still making plays. The Packers scored on all of their drives after halftime until the last one, when they were running the clock out.
It was yet another reminder to never count out Aaron Rodgers.