Aaron Rodgers out with fractured collarbone, replaced by Seneca Wallace

Green Bay Packers quarterback confirmed that his injury is a fractured collarbone Tuesday afternoon. Rodgers was injured when Chicago Bears defensive end Shea McClellin tackled him from behind during Monday night's match up.

According to CBS Sports, Rodgers confirmed the news that everyone feared on his weekly radio show with Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin.

"I have a fractured collarbone," Rodgers said. "Despite what's being reported, we haven't talked at all about a timetable. But we do know the collarbone is fractured. We have not talked about or discussed any long term prognosis."

The 29-year-old quarterback could be out three weeks, or he could be out for the remainder of the season. "There has not been any timetable that's been talked about," Rodgers said. "There has been nothing talked about with doctors, myself, anyone who represents me, my family. Reports are silly. [I'm] holding out hope that it's a quick heal. But it's a significant injury."

Although Rodgers felt a lot of pain, he did not want to leave the game. "[I] felt some pain initially and then came off the field and then was in considerable pain," Rodgers said. "In this case it was considerably more pain than I've felt in a long time. Obviously wasn't able to throw on the sideline, agreed to an X-ray and wanted to do it quickly so I could get back on the field. That's why I went into the locker room as quickly as possible."

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy announced that replacing Rodgers will be Seneca Wallace.

Wallace was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft and only had 21 starts in 10 NFL seasons. His last win was with the Cleveland Browns over three years ago. "He's got a strong arm and he can move around a little bit," former Philadelphia Eagles scout John Middlekauff told USA Today. "He'd be like a poor man's Russell Wilson in terms of body type – short, stumpy, athletic. Can't really see over the line. Accuracy's hit or miss. Does he believe he's a winner? His career record's just hideous."

But McCarthy and Rodgers both expressed their confidence in the 33-year-old quarterback. “He's been throwing it really well in practice,” said Rodgers. “He's very bright. This will be a good chance for him to go through the week as 'the guy' and get ready to play the Eagles."

Linebacker Clay Matthews, who suffered a broken thumb, could return this week, but if he doesn't, the Packers may be in trouble. "Now, Green Bay is one of the most talented teams," Middlekauff said. "But you're taking the MVP of the league (Rodgers) off the team, and then you're taking potentially, year-in and year-out, the defensive MVP of the league off the team in Clay Matthews. You get to a point where it's just too much. And I think they've hit that point."

The Packers face the 4-5 Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on your website.

Learn more about debugging in WordPress.