Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers pulled his left calf on the team’s second offensive series on Sunday. He didn’t miss a play, but was obviously bothered by the injury throughout and could be seen limping both on the field and after the game.
How serious the injury is remains to be seen, but with a showdown for the division title on the horizon with the Detroit Lions, Rodgers has already said he’ll be playing in week 17.
“Well, it’s too early to give a 100% guarantee, but it would definitely take a lot to hold me out of that game,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers suffered the injury on a hit by Buccaneers defensive end Michael Johnson. He received treatment on the sideline during the game and in the locker room at halftime.
Rodgers said the injury limited his mobility and the stats back that up. He threw for 318 yards, but surprisingly didn’t run the football once.
Surely, the Packers will be cautious with Rodgers in practice this week, but they also better hope he’s a quick healer. The Lions have one of the best front sevens in football and they’ll probably be licking their chops if they know they’re going to be facing a stationary target.
It should be noted that even a healthy Rodgers was god awful in the Packers’ first matchup with the Lions this year. He was 16 of 27 for 162 yards and one touchdown at Detroit.