Packers’ Aaron Rodgers confirms proper thumb is damaged

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers by no means felt the necessity to get into particulars about his proper thumb harm for one purpose: It was by no means going to maintain the Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback from taking part in.

That is why it wasn’t till Wednesday when he lastly – and reluctantly – confirmed that it was certainly damaged.

“It does not make a distinction with me taking part in,” Rodgers stated. “It does not make a distinction. You noticed the tape on my thumb. Did not make a distinction.”

Rodgers has been coping with the harm since he was sacked by Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines on the ultimate play of the Packers’ Oct. 9 recreation in London. Rodgers tried a Hail Mary, however Ximines hit Rodgers’ throwing arm and compelled a fumble. Instantly after the play, Rodgers got here up flexing his proper hand.

Rodgers was requested particularly on Oct. 26 if his thumb was damaged. He replied on the time: “My thumb is damage.”

Even when Pat McAfee requested Rodgers on Tuesday throughout his weekly look on McAfee’s present if the thumb was damaged, Rodgers simply stated he had performed with damaged fingers earlier than with out really elaborating on this harm particularly.

“I feel I’ve had worse accidents I’ve performed with,” Rodgers stated Wednesday. “Undoubtedly a problem, however the days off helped. Feeling higher this week.”

He was again at apply Wednesday after an prolonged break following the Packers’ loss to the Titans final Thursday, when Rodgers’ accuracy was maybe at its worst. He missed throws at vital instances within the second half to Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins that he described as passes he’d full 99 instances out of 100. Nonetheless, he insisted the thumb harm had nothing to do with these misses.

“There’s one in each 100 that does not come off the proper manner,” Rodgers stated.

When requested whether or not he is simply saying that as a result of he does not wish to sound like he is utilizing the thumb as an excuse, Rodgers stated: “I feel it is the reality. My thumb was hurting lots worse within the Dallas recreation, and I put the ball the place I needed to.”

Certainly, Rodgers had pinpoint accuracy simply 5 days earlier in a win over the Cowboys. As an entire, nevertheless, Rodgers’ accuracy numbers have been down for the reason that harm. He accomplished 69.7% of his passes with eight touchdowns and three interceptions within the first 5 video games of the season with the Packers at 3-2. Within the subsequent six, which the Packers have received just one, his completion charge dropped to 62% with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Nevertheless, Rodgers stated he is had different accidents which have impacted his skill to throw greater than this one.

“After I damage my knee in ’18, you throw from the bottom up, in order that was undoubtedly troublesome on the footwork, plant leg,” Rodgers stated. “After I broke my index finger in faculty, that was most likely a barely extra essential finger to take care of. I keep in mind I used to be at apply and Coach Tedford stated, ‘I do not care what’s hurting, you have bought at some point off and in the event you miss one other day of apply, you are the backup once more.’ So there was no selection.”

Not like Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who wanted his fractured thumb surgically repaired earlier this season and missed 5 video games, Rodgers stated surgical procedure was by no means thought-about and will not be wanted after the season until one thing else occurs.

“I do not know what [Prescott] had, nevertheless it most likely wasn’t,” Rodgers stated when requested if his harm was as extreme.

Rodgers and the Packers had 5 days off earlier than they returned to the apply subject on Wednesday to arrange for Sunday’s video games on the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I hope it helped his thumb,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated. At 4-7, the Packers can unwell afford many extra – if any — losses and nonetheless have an opportunity to make the postseason. Some have likened this to the 2016 season, when the Packers have been 4-6 and heading to Philadelphia when Rodgers stated he thought they might “run the desk.”

Nevertheless, the Eagles crew Rodgers and Co. confronted six years in the past was 5-5. This one is 9-1.

“I really feel assured we will exit and play properly,” Rodgers stated. “However I do not assume that is the final stand.”