The Packers have announced that Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone.

QB Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone. There's a chance he could miss the rest of the season. — Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 15, 2017

The most ominous part is that the team said there is a “chance he could miss the rest of the season.”

Clavicle (medical term for collarbone) fractures commonly heal without surgery. Surgery is chosen when the fracture is displaced (out of alignment) or when trying to lessen recovery time.


In my NFL experience I have returned players at four weeks, including a running back.

Last time Rodgers had the left (non-throwing) clavicle broken, in 2013, he did not have surgery and missed seven weeks.

Being this is his throwing side, this timetable could be longer.

If the Packers choose to plate the collarbone, that could slightly shorten the time.


I am very hopeful that he will return this season, but it should be expected he will miss a minimum of eight weeks. That would put his return at Week 14.

This is. unfortunately, far worse than our hopeful original analysis.

By video, I was hoping his right hand and then elbow bracing the fall first would have dissipated enough force to avoid clavicle fracture.

Of note, Rodgers also used his right hand to assist himself getting onto the cart.


If @AaronRodgers12 clavicle is broken, he is one tough guy. Still uses his right hand to push himself onto cart. pic.twitter.com/K9Z5moG6NU — David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) October 15, 2017

That indicates: a) he is one tough/stoic guy; b) he was not expecting a displaced or communited (multiple pieces) fracture.

Our initial post at 10:50 a.m. PT:

It would be a surprise if Aaron Rodgers returns to play quarterback for the Green Bay Packers today, but there can be significant hope any absence beyond that will not be extended.


Rodgers was tackled outside of the box in the first quarter and landed hard on his right (throwing) shoulder.

Here's the Aaron Rodgers injury... fell right on his right shoulder.... pic.twitter.com/EAuz571n89 — NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2017

By video, I do not expect it was a clavicle fracture or even scapula (shoulder blade) fracture. I am not expecting a season-ending injury.

The worry appears to be for an AC joint sprain or a rotator cuff contusion. The hope between those two should be for the AC sprain. A rotator cuff contusion could require a longer absence.


Rodgers was not driven into the turf, and the defender did not land on him.

This was nothing like the collarbone injury he suffered in 2013.

He did land on his right elbow first, and the force could have been translated to shoulder to bruise his rotator cuff.

The Green Bay medical staff has been known to be conservative (which is good) long before this health and safety era.


Any throwing shoulder injury is a big deal for a quarterback. Let’s hope for the mild AC joint sprain and a quick return (one to two weeks).

Any time without Rodgers is a big deal for the Packers, but it appears he escaped the worst-case possibility.