There is a possibility that Green Bay Packers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers might return despite undergoing what was expected to be a season-ending surgery to repair his injured collarbone. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, doctors have informed the Packers that Rodgers may be able to throw in six weeks. After he was placed on injured reserve following his surgery, Rodgers can return in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers on December 17. However, Rodgers’ return is dependent on whether they have a chance to make it to the playoffs or not.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the team is currently discussing long-term options at this point, putting a premium on Rodgers’ health after he underwent surgery. However, McCarthy said they will continue discussing Rodgers’ status as he recovers from the injury.
Rodgers suffered the injury when he was brought down to the ground by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr in Week 6. Before the injury, Rodgers was having another outstanding season, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,385 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions. While Rodgers is recovering, Brett Hundley will start for the Packers.
Hundley struggled in loss to Saints
Hundley struggled in their 26-17 loss to the Saints at Lambeau Field, completing just 12 of 25 passes for 87 yards and an interception.
He showed his rushing ability, carrying the ball three times for 44 yards and a touchdown but it was not enough as the Packers dropped to 4-3, 2nd in the NFC North. Rusher Aaron Jones was the only bright spot for the Packers, recording 131 ground yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Ingram shines for Saints
Quarterback Drew Brees threw his 500th career touchdown pass while rusher Mark Ingram carried the ball 22 times for 105 yards and a score as the Saints improved to an NFC South-best 4-2 mark following their fourth straight win after an 0-2 start.
Brees, who completed 27 of 38 passes for 331 yards with two interceptions, joins Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to throw 500 touchdown passes, including the playoffs.
In the first, Jones put the Packers ahead with a 46-yard touchdown run, but Ingram responded in the second quarter with a 12-yard scoring run to tie the game.
Late in the second, Hundley engineered an eight-play, 75-yard drive that he capped with a 14-yard scoring run to put the Packers ahead, 14-7 at the break. In the third, Brees found Brandon Coleman for a 22-yard touchdown pass but the Saints missed the extra point. Will Lutz added a 28-yard field goal to give the Saints a 16-14 lead heading into the fourth. The Packers led for the last time, 17-16, following a 46-yard field goal by Mason Crosby before the Saints pulled away behind Lutz’s 44-yard boot and Brees’ one-yard touchdown run.
