The Packers announced they’ve placed Aaron Rodgers on IR. The franchise quarterback is shelved until at least mid-December, although considering the collarbone surgery he had this week, he’s a good bet to miss the remainder of the season.
From an NFL procedure perspective, Rodgers is out at least eight weeks. The Packers are going with Brett Hundley as their starter, and they promoted Joe Callahan from the practice squad.
Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone against the Vikings. While the 33-year-old passer returned from this injury in 2013 in time for a Week 17 do-or-die game, one the Packers won to book a playoff berth. But that malady did not require surgery. This one did, making Rodgers’ chances of returning later this season in a special circumstance remote.
The Packers have not fared especially well in Rodgers’ absence, understandably, and Hundley came into the Vikings game with 11 career passes. In two games this season, he’s completed only 55.9-percent of his passes for 157 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. This is predictably worse than Rodgers, who had completed 66.3-percent of his passes for 1,385 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions before suffering the injury.
Earlier this week, coach Mike McCarthy indicated that the organization wouldn’t pursue a quarterback until they received clarity on Rodgers’ surgery. With the veteran on the IR for the next two months, it’s conceivable that the team could now seek reinforcement at the position.