It’s been a pretty bad season for the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers so far. While Rodgers has seemed off for most of the year, we apparently now know that it’s because the reigning NFL MVP has been playing with a broken thumb.
The word on Rodgers’ thumb actually first leaked when a kid who met the quarterback through Make-A-Wish reportedly admitted that Aaron told him it was broken.
@Pack_Daddy Big B @bigpackers4x just tweeted he talked with Aaron Rodgers a couple of days ago during his visit to Lambeau ( Make-A-Wish) and Rodgers disclosed to him his thumb is broken. If true, MLF should have put him on IR weeks ago.
— Uncle Rico 🏈🧀Napoleon D Livin’ in ‘82 Go Pack Go (@JJehosephat777) November 18, 2022
Rodgers also discussed his thumb during Tuesday’s appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, saying “My thumb is what it is. It’s been an issue since the Giants, but it’s not an issue that I’m going to rely on for an excuse or need.”
Wednesday, Rodgers came clean with reporters, admitting that his thumb is indeed broken but he has no plans for surgery.
Aaron Rodgers confirmed today his right thumb has been broken since Week 5, when the injury happened on the last play in London.
Here he is talking about it for a bit. Surgery has never been a thought and it won’t be after the season, either, he said. pic.twitter.com/FbbMOkXYtc
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 23, 2022
“I think I’ve had worse injuries I’ve played with,” said Rodgers. “Definitely a challenge but the days off help. Feeling better this week.”
It certainly provides context for the moment during that game when cameras captured the trainers working on Rodgers’ thumb and then trying to block its view.
Aaron Rodgers is having his thumb looked at by medical staff.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Xykhw6ePHu
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 13, 2022
He’s also previously shown signs of his thumb bothering him during games.
Aaron Rodgers looks like this thumb is starting to bother him
(via @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/nFitFFi4R3
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 16, 2022
Packers beat writer Ryan Wood broke down Rodgers’ stats before and after the injury and they provide a stark difference. Whereas before the thumb injury, Rodgers was completing 67 percent of his passes, averaging 231.4 yards per game, and holding a 95.7 rating, the six games after the injury have seen those numbers drop to 62 percent, 230.8 yards per game, and a 91.1 rating. Rodger has more touchdown passes in the last six games but he also has more interceptions.
It's hard to say Aaron Rodgers' broken thumb has had no affect. His completion percentage is 5 points lower. His passer rating is almost 5 points lower. That said, we're not talking a night-and-day difference here. Almost identical yards, touchdowns and interceptions per game.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 23, 2022