Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers out with concussion
BY KAREEM COPELAND KCOPELAND@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM DECEMBER 12, 2010
[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20101212&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=101212040&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0[/img_r]DETROIT Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, arguably, means more to the Green Bay Packers offense than any other quarterback in the league. When he struggles, so does the unit considering there is no dependable running game to lean on.
Rodgers was in the midst of an ugly performance against the Detroit Lions when he was knocked out the game with a concussion. The Packers went on to lose 7-3.
The Packers offense was virtually nonexistent during the first half and Rodgers seemed like he was trying to make something happen late in the second quarter. An underrated runner, Rodgers scrambled 18 yards and chose not to slide as defenders closed in for the tackle. He was hit from the front-side by safety Amari Spievey, but it was the back-side contact from Landon Johnson that jolted Rodgers.
He got up slowly, played three more snaps, including a sack by Andre Fluellen, and never returned.
The concussion is the second of the season for Rodgers, who suffered one Oct. 10 at Washington, and he will have to pass more stringent tests to return to the field.
I can't really measure the level of his concussion right now, coach Mike McCarthy said after the game. It's something that he'll go through the normal protocol. I was told that his head his clear and he has a headache.
He was kind of groggy after those two plays he stayed in there, so that's when we had the decision to pull him.
Rodgers had completed 7-of-11 passes for 46 yards with an interception before his day ended. The Packers had just two first downs while Rodgers was in the game.
Matt Flynn replaced Rodgers and moved the ball deep inside Lions territory on the first two possessions of the second half, but came away with just three points total.
Flynn finished the day 15-of-26 for 177 yards and one interception. And the Packers couldnt turn to a run game that managed just 66 yards on 20 attempts, including five yards for 35 yards from Rodgers and Flynn. The running backs totaled 15 carries for 31 yards.
Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said there werent any major changes to the play-calling with Rodgers out and McCarthy refused to acknowledge Rodgers absence may have played a significant role in the season-low three points.
The Packers hadnt been held to three points or less since a 35-0 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 19, 2006.
It's no excuse, McCarthy said. It's no excuse at all. We played poor on offense today and that starts with me.
We were poor and I'm not very pleased about it.
The team didnt have a timetable for Rodgers return, though he did not miss a game after being concussed against Washington. He will have to pass several medical tests before he is cleared to play.
Rodgers has been criticized for not sliding at times and leaving himself open for injury. And it happened Sunday.
Rodgers was not in the locker room after the game and was not made available for comment.
You definitely dont want someone who is that important to your offense out of the game, center Scott Wells said. At the same time, with the playmakers we have on the field, I felt we should have been able to come back.
We had opportunities and we squandered them.