The Green Bay Packers entered Monday night's division showdown against the Chicago Bears riding a four-game winning streak. Starting slow out of the gates in 2013, Green Bay was dealt multiple blows when key members of their team - including wide receivers James Jones and Randall Cobb along with tight end Jermichael Finely - were forced out of the line-up with significant injuries. Despite a couple bites from the injury bug however, the Packers were able to regain control of the division after starting the season 1-2 and owned a 5-2 record when they played host to the Bears at Lambeau Field.
Though the return of James Jones coupled with the continued strong play of wide out Jordy Nelson was something for the team and its fans to look forward to, another potentially devastating injury was handed to Green Bay on their opening offensive possession. Scrambling to his right on a third-and-8 play, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked by Chicago's Shea McClellin where he suffered a shoulder injury. Removed from the field moments later, Rodgers did not return to action. The good news for all those involved with the franchise is that the injury occurred to the non-throwing shoulder of Rodgers. The bad news however, according to multiple reports, is that the Super Bowl champion QB will most likely miss an extended period of time with no exact timetable set because doctors do not yet know the extent of the shoulder damage.
As NFL.com indicates, sources close to the organization believe the 29-year-old suffered a small break in his collarbone. An injury of this magnitude - even if it is to his non-throwing shoulder - now means that Green Bay will rely on back-up quarterback Seneca Wallace, unless they decide to explore the open market. With Wallace and Rodgers the only two QB's on the Packers' active roster, it is almost a sure thing that Green Bay will look to bring in someone who can step in and fill the void for the duration of Rodgers' injury.
In the 27-20 loss to Chicago, Wallace completed 11 of 19 passes for 114 yards and an interception. Though he won't be expected to light up the scoreboard, Green Bay hopes that when he is in the game, the former Iowa State standout is able to work with a running game that currently ranks second in the NFL. Rookie Eddie Lacy carried the ball 22 times for 150 yards and a score in the loss, once again indicating that the running game in Green Bay can certainly carry a big chunk of the load.
Expected to bring in outside help, the Packers could elect to sign quarterback Matt Flynn who was recently released by the Buffalo Bills. Flynn was taken in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he'd stay for four seasons before joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2012.
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