Rodgers Practices With Injured Right Thumb

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was back at practice on Thursday as the team gets ready for Sunday against the New York Jets.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Oct 13, 2022 4:55 PM EDT
Original:
Oct 13, 2022

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers practiced on Thursday with a wrap on his injured right thumb.

It appeared he took all his scheduled throws during individual drills, when reporters were allowed to watch. If the injury impacted the customary zip on his throws, it wasn’t by much. He did have one unorthodox handoff, as shown in the accompanying video.

Afterward, he was listed as full participation, obviously a good sign that he will be ready to face the New York Jets on Sunday.

Rodgers didn’t practice on Wednesday, instead going through an hour-and-a-half rehab session that included laser therapy and “other contraptions,” as he put it on Wednesday.

“I’ve just been working on my grip, seeing how that was progressing,” Rodgers said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s gotten better every day and I’m going to try to get back out there tomorrow.”

Rodgers suffered the injury on the final play of last week’s loss to the Giants, when he was nailed from behind before he could uncork a Hail Mary. He flexed his hand after getting up but didn’t realize it was injured until later.

“In the moment, you’ve still kind of got the adrenaline going,” Rodgers said. “Once the adrenaline wore off and got on the bus, got back to the airport, got on the plane, I knew it was banged up a little bit, but it’s gotten better every day.”

Through five games, Rodgers ranks 10th in passer rating (95.8) and sixth in completion percentage (67.9) but 21st in yards per attempt (6.89) and last in air yards per completion (3.83). According to Pro Football Reference, which has air yards dating to the start of the 2016 season, only Alex Smith with Washington averaged less over the course of a full season (minimum 100 attempts).

While he hasn’t dominated like usual, the Packers would be “0-5 without A-Rod,” one scout of an upcoming opponent told Packer Central.

“I think I’m playing as well as I can at times,” Rodgers said. “I expect that typical stretch coming up at some point where we get really hot. Hopefully, it starts this week. But I think that’s right around the corner.”

Only receiver Christian Watson (hamstring), outside linebacker Tipa Galeai (hamstring) and tight end Marcedes Lewis (presumably veteran rest) did not practice.

Packers-Jets: Six Things You Didn’t Know

1. Pick Parades

Unbelievably, the Jets have intercepted as many passes as the Packers have broken up. The Jets have intercepted seven passes, one off the NFL lead. The Packers have intercepted one pass, one off the Giants’ inept league low. It’s not just interceptions. The Packers have only broken up seven passes – seven less than any other team and two fewer than two individuals. Rasul Douglas has a team-high two; Eric Stokes (pictured) has zero.

Here is the full breakdown of those incredibly bad numbers.

2. 2/0 for 12

In defeat, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Giants. That was the 100th game of his career with two-plus touchdown passes and zero interceptions. The Packers are 86-14 in those games.

3. Crushing the AFC

Including the Week 4 victory over New England, Aaron Rodgers is 18-1 in his last 19 home starts against the AFC. He completed 65.2 percent of his passes, averaged 280.4 yards, and threw 50 touchdowns vs. six interceptions in those games. Of course, that game against New England came with one black mark.

4. Rookie Receivers

The Jets’ Garrett Wilson, the 10th pick of the draft, ranks second in this year’s draft class with 23 receptions for 282 yards. The Packers’ Romeo Doubs, the 132nd selection in this year’s draft, is tied for third with 22 receptions. According to Pro Football Focus, Doubs is first with 130 yards after the catch; Wilson is first with eight missed tackles.

5. Breaking the Law

During last year’s Packers-Jets joint practices, New York’s big free-agent addition, defensive end Carl Lawson, suffered a torn Achilles. Lawson is back. He has 2.5 sacks and ranks second in the NFL with 14 quarterback hits. “I still think he’s got more to go, too,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s slowly stacking up good days and he’s getting faster. I’m really pumped for him. He’s gaining confidence. He’s getting stronger and stronger every week.”

Early Home Cooking

The Packers under coach Matt LaFleur are 8-1 in noon home games. Their lone loss was against Minnesota in 2020, a 28-22 verdict in an empty Lambeau Field. Four of the eight wins were by double-digits points, including 24-10 against Washington last season while wearing their throwback jerseys.