Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got good news on Friday, as the team announced that quarterback Jameis Winston would be able to play in this Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers must now officially press forward with their season in the wake of the broken collarbone that Aaron Rodgers suffered as he underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve today.

Winston to play Sunday despite injury

Jameis Winston suffered what turned out to be an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder in the first half of last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He did not throw at all in practice for four days but threw passes for the first time on Friday, while also getting all of the reps in practice that day.

Head coach Dirk Koetter said that Winston would play Sunday, saying with no hesitation that “He's our starter. Jameis will be our stater. He'll be out there.” He also said of his quarterback that, “Jameis threw the ball well today. He threw it well.”

Winston vowed following the injury that he would play this week, He seemed almost certain that it was an AC joint sprain before an MRI confirmed it since he has dealt with this injury before. The biggest concerns facing him playing where arm velocity and pain tolerance but Winston has thrown fine and seems willing to deal with the pain.

Rodgers has surgery, goes on injured reserve

On Thursday, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers underwent surgery for the broken collarbone in his throwing shoulder.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday of the surgery that, “everything went very well is my understanding [from] talking to Dr. McKenzie, and he's recovering.”

McCarthy also announced yesterday that the team had decided to put the star quarterback on injured reserve as the 4-2 Packers must attempt to navigate the rest of the year without him.

A source told ESPN's Rob Demovsky that the team is holding out a long-shot hope that Rodgers will be able to return for their December 17 game against the Carolina Panthers.

That date would be the soonest he would be eligible to be selected to come off of injured reserve, as he must spend at least eight weeks on their before being reactivated.

As McCarthy stated, “We're actually discussing all the long-term options at this point.” Obviously, Rodgers playing at that point will not only depend on his health but the Packers record, as there would be no point in him coming back if the team falls apart and is not in contention.
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