The timeline around the return of Aaron Rodgers has been decidedly vague, but the picture is beginning to clear up.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Green Bay Packers quarterback likely faces a four-to-six-week recovery from the fractured collarbone he suffered in Monday night's 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, according to two sources informed of the injury. Rapoport was told that the sources believe Rodgers could be back closer to the four-week mark because he's proven to be a quick healer in the past.
The Packers next face the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings before meeting the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The Detroit tilt falls closer to three weeks out than four, so a more realistic target date might be Green Bay's Week 14 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 8.
For now, the Packers plan to roll with Seneca Wallace as their starter ahead of backup Scott Tolzien. It's encouraging for Green Bay fans to hear that Rodgers will return this season, and before the playoffs, but the Packers aren't remotely the same team with Wallace at the controls.
Green Bay now becomes a run-first -- and possibly run-only -- team that won't see the same gaping holes Chicago's inept defense offered up. Teams are going to tee up on Eddie Lacy and force Wallace to make plays with his arm, something he doesn't have a history of in the NFL.
The "Around The League Podcast" recapped every Week 9 game. Click here to listen and subscribe.
