Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed Wednesday that he is playing through a broken right thumb, and now we know some specifics on the injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rodgers is playing through what is called an avulsion fracture in the thumb on his throwing hand.
An avulsion fracture is when “a piece of bone attached to a ligament or tendon breaks away from the main part of the bone,” per the Cleveland Clinic.
The injury for Rodgers occurred on the final play of the Packers’ loss to the New York Giants in London on Oct. 6. He was hit by multiple defenders while attempting to throw a Hail Mary as time expired.
Rodgers, who turns 39 next week, has missed multiple practices and played with his right thumb/hand taped up every week since the injury.
On Wednesday, he said the injury is feeling better than at any point since the Giants game, likely due to a few extra days off coming back from the Thursday night game.
Although Rodgers’ overall numbers haven’t dropped significantly since the injury, his completion percentage has dropped by more than five points, suggesting the injury is causing issues with throwing the football consistently. Rodgers has also been seen in pain or needing treatment on the thumb during multiple games, indicating the pain and relating issues haven’t much improved since the initial injury.
Rodgers has said he never considered surgery, although the Cleveland Clinic says surgical intervention is usually required for avulsion fractures with joint instability.
Through 11 games, the Packers are 4-7. 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.
The bye week arrives after next week’s trip to Chicago.
The next question becomes: Will the Packers place Rodgers on injured reserve if the team drops out of playoff contention over the final six games?
