News
11/27/22
3 min read
Love Replaces Injured Rodgers in Sunday Night Loss to Eagles
Aaron Rodgers exited the Green Bay Packers' Sunday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter with what team officials called an oblique injury. Rodgers finished the game on the sideline without pads and was replaced by backup Jordan Love.
After the game, Rodgers clarified he had suffered the injury to his ribs and that it was difficult from the X-rays to determine if they were broken. He said he was "having a hard time breathing and rotating my upper body," according to ESPN. Rodgers is having an MRI on Monday, NFL Media reported.
Before exiting the game, Rodgers threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns, along with two interceptions. And at the time of his exit, the Packers were down two scores.
In relief, Love completed 6 of 9 passes for 113 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown pass to rookie WR Christian Watson to pull the Packers within a score. However, the comeback attempt came up short, as the Packers fell to the Eagles, 40-33.
"This gives an opportunity for the young cat Jordan Love to get some reps," said analyst Golden Tate of The 33rd Team. "And it's going to tell the organization everything they need to know. Is this Jordan Love kid ready to take over the reins from Aaron Rodgers, or is he not? ... From the short time he was in there, I was impressed."
Jordan Love. Christian Watson. One-possession game in Philly 👀
📺: #GBvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FRZHlv4OoL pic.twitter.com/TxLDZCPdkw— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2022
Almost exactly 15 years ago to the day (Nov. 29, 2007), Rodgers relieved an injured Brett Favre in Dallas — a replacement that would eventually prove permanent the following year and pave the way for Rodgers' storied career in Green Bay.
After Sunday's game, Rodgers didn't rule out playing next week against the Bears and stated, "As long as we're mathematically alive, I'd like to be out there." The loss dropped the Packers' playoff odds to just 3%, according to FiveThirtyEight.
"This gives an opportunity for the young cat Jordan Love to get some reps. And it's going to tell the organization everything they need to know. Is this Jordan Love kid ready to take over the reins from Aaron Rodgers, or is he not?" — Golden Tate
Earlier in the week, Rodgers told reporters he has been playing with a broken thumb suffered late in the Packers' Week 5 loss to the New York Giants. On Sunday, reports surfaced that the injury was more severe than initially believed and could require surgery to repair.
Despite the injury, Rodgers had thrown for 2,542 yards passing to go along with 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions heading into Sunday night's contest. Rodgers' production has failed to translate into victories, however, as the Packers sit over five games out of first place in the NFC North.
Green Bay is off to a disappointing 4-8 start to the season and has a former first-round draft pick at quarterback, Jordan Love, who has yet to see much meaningful regular season playing time. However, the team could get a good look at Love's ability to run the offense for the remainder of the regular season if Rodgers misses significant time due to injury.
