GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (AP) – This will be a strange couple of weeks in Titletown: The Green Bay Packers’ streak of eight straight NFL postseason appearances is over.
And quarterback Aaron Rodgers is done for the year after he was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and tossed three interceptions in Sunday’s 31-24 loss at Carolina in his return from a broken collarbone. Coach Mike McCarthy said there were no setbacks with Rodgers’ injury, but it made sense to shut him down.
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (12) watches as Carolina Panthers players walk off the field after a Green Bay Packers fumble late during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
“He took a number of hits. With all the factors involved, we felt this was clearly in Aaron Rodgers’ best interest,” McCarthy said. “He’s not happy about it. It’s a hard day for him.”
It’s an unusual time for the team as a whole.
The Packers last missed the playoffs in 2008, which was Rodgers’ first season as the starter. They’re not used to playing games this late into December without postseason implications.
Atlanta’s win over Tampa Bay on Monday night sealed Green Bay’s fate in the NFC wild-card chase. Packers receiver Randall Cobb dozed off in front of the TV while watching the game and woke up on Tuesday morning to difficult news.
“It’s very disappointing. You never want to be in this situation,” Cobb said, “but we are.”
The Packers managed to go 3-4 in games started by backup quarterback Brett Hundley to keep their playoff hopes alive while Rodgers was out. With Rodgers done, Hundley will take over again as the starter Saturday against Minnesota, and the Packers re-signed Joe Callahan to be his backup.
The last three games of the year figured to be tough with or without Rodgers. He was knocked out in Week 6 after landing on his right arm after a hard hit outside the pocket by Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr.
“I mean you can’t go out there trying to take someone out like that. Just play ball, we don’t really think about it too much,” left guard Lane Taylor said when asked if the team was motivated by another opportunity to face Barr.
So the Packers are in the unusual position of possibly playing the spoiler role. Their final foe, the Detroit Lions in Week 17, also remains in the chase for a wild-card spot.
An early end to a season for a team perennially considered a Super Bowl contender could spark more change in the offseason, especially on defense. The Packers haven’t had consistent pass-rushing punch on the edge, a group led by outside linebacker Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.
Injuries have also have decimated the Packers at cornerback, which was already a question mark. They were without starters Kevin King and Davon House last week against Carolina due to shoulder injuries.
“You know we had ups and downs. We didn’t play as good as we should have, and what we’re capable of,” Perry said. “We didn’t get the job done this year. I’m pretty sad about it. The only thing we can do now is just look forward and just move in the right direction.”
They’ll have to do it without Rodgers over the final two weeks. When asked, McCarthy said there was no second-guessing about playing Rodgers last week.
“I think we all cringed when he took that first hit and frankly when he took the one from behind on the full fake,” McCarthy said. “That’s a bad hit on a good day, when you’re completely healthy, not coming off what he went through to get back for that game.”
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FILE – In this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 file photo, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) makes a catch against Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry (53) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Green Bay, Wis. Atlanta’s win on Monday night, Dec. 18, 2017 eliminated Green Bay from the NFC playoff race. The Packers’ string of eight straight postseason appearances is over. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
FILE – In this Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 file photo, Green Bay Packers’ Randall Cobb (18) makes a catch during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. Randall Cobb dozed off in front of the TV while watching the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers play a game that was crucial to the Green Bay Packers’ slim playoff chances. Atlanta’s win on Monday night, Dec. 18, 2017 eliminated Green Bay from the NFC playoff race. The Packers’ string of eight straight postseason appearances is over. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)
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