Jordan Love reached out to former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers after his injury
When Buffalo Bills EDGE Leonard Floyd sacked former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur immediately knew something was wrong with the future Hall of Famer. "I know I've got so much respect for him. I've said it a million times just how tough he is, the competitor he is, […]
When Buffalo Bills EDGE Leonard Floyd sacked former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur immediately knew something was wrong with the future Hall of Famer.
"I know I've got so much respect for him. I've said it a million times just how tough he is, the competitor he is, and I knew when he went back down to the ground – it had to have been something serious because I've seen him play through so much," LaFleur told reporters after Wednesday's practice.
"It's tough. I feel for him and never want to see anybody go through that. I think anytime you have a player of his caliber, not playing the game of football, it's bad for our game. So my thoughts are certainly with him."
LaFleur also said he reached out to Rodgers and so did Packers quarterback, Jordan Love. Rodgers and Love had a good relationship during their two seasons in Green Bay, so of course Love had to check up on his guy. Which he did, via text, just like his head coach.
"It sucked. I was excited to see him play," Love said after Wednesday's practice. "And it sucks for that to happen to him in the first series. I feel for him, [but] I know he's gonna bounce back and he'll do his thing in recovery and come back stronger."
It's going to be a long road to recovery for Rodgers. It usually takes athletes at least six months before they can return to aggressive sport activities and Rodgers' age could certainly play a factor in the recovery timeline.
"Typically we would tell a player that it's six months before they can do any sort of aggressive sport activity," said Derr. "Obviously the age difference can play into that some, too. It may take a little longer at 39 to recover than a guy who's 22. It's pretty impressive to have that injury and be back same season, but he [Akers] had a couple of months head start, obviously, on that timeframe, too. I would tell people generally for Aaron Rodgers' age range, six to nine months to get back to playing."
Both Love and LaFleur believe Rodgers will recover and get back to his Hall-of-Fame-form, however. And they're very confident in their assertions.
"I would think that somebody of his caliber, I would bet that he would have no problem coming back from it," said LaFleur. "I really believe it. I know the type of worker he is. So it's just going to be a choice of whether or not he wants to continue to play or not."
"I can't speak for him, but I mean, I know him. He's a very competitive person. I have no doubt that he'll be back. He'll kill it in recovery and be back," said Love.
Rodgers posted a message on Instagram Wednesday night saying "The night is darkest before the dawn. I shall rise, again." It eliminated any and all doubt that he'll return in 2024. So, expect the four-time MVP to get back to his old ways and terrorize NFL defenses in 2024.
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Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
