Aaron Rodgers Injury: How Does Avulsion Fracture Impact Packers QB?

Ian Rapoport reported early on Sunday morning that Aaron Rodgers’ Week 5 right thumb fracture was an avulsion fracture that “almost always” requires surgery. 

The Packers’ quarterback didn’t reveal the injury until last Wednesday, although a Packers fan reported the fracture before Week 11. 

The potential associated ligament damage involved with an avulsion injury is a greater concern than the fracture itself, according to the Pro Football Docs. 

Rodgers should be mostly healed from the injury, as it has been seven weeks, and he carries an SIC score of 92 into Green Bay's Sunday Night contest with the Eagles.

In an avulsion fracture, the ligament (or capsule) is torn and pulls off a piece of bone with it. 

It is unlikely that Rodgers suffered a UCL injury as that would have led to immediate surgery and significantly limited his grip. 

His injury was likely unlike recent hand fractures for Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson and Drew Brees' 2020 thumb injury, each of which required immediate surgery and sent the players to the short-term IR.

How Did the Fracture Impact Rodgers' Passing Stats?

The reigning and defending two-time MVP helped the Packers to three wins in four games before he went down on the last play of their Week 6 loss to the Giants.

His statistics show evidence of limitations: in the four games before the injury, Rodgers had 8 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and 68.66% completion on 7.70 adjusted yards per attempt; in the four games after, Rodgers had 6 touchdowns, 4 picks, and a 61.07% completion rate on 5.87 adjusted yards per throw.

Green Bay scored 22.5 points per game in the four games before the injury, compared to 14.25 points – and an 0-4 record – in the four games after the injury. 

The Packers have scored 24 points in the last 2 games behind 5 touchdowns, all to Christian Watson, on 9.34 adjusted yards per throw.