Aaron Rodgers Inspires Packers Comeback, Confirms Availability For Vikings Clash

Aaron Rodgers came back from a serious looking knee injury he suffered in the first-half to lead the Green Bay Packers to one of their best comebacks in history against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. They eventually won the game 24-23 after trailing 20-0 at one point.

The Packers quarterback suffered a knee injury in the first-half when Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris fell on Rodgers’ knee during a second-quarter sack. He was unable to put weight on his knee, but walked off the field without any help after initially struggling to stand.

Rodgers spent 10 minutes in examination tent on the sidelines before being carted to the locker room midway through the second-quarter of their opening game of the season. ESPN reported it was the same knee he tore the ACL during high school and which was operated when he was in college.

Rodgers was 3 of 7 for passing for 13 years before his injury and his replacement DeShone Kizer was not as useful when he entered the fray with the Packers trailing the Bears 10-0. The two-time MVP’s return to the game remained questionable with many fearing it was potentially a severe injury.

However, the Lambeau Field was in for a night that will not be forgotten any time soon after Rodgers returned to the field with nine minutes and 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter and with the Packers trailing 20-0.

The quarterback seemed to have a new lease of life upon his return and went 17 for 23 for 273 yards for the remainder of the game. The Packers scored a field goal in the first march and Rodgers then brought his team to 20-17 with two touchdown passes to Geronimo Allison and Devante Adams.

The 34-year-old then clinched the game for the Packers with a 75 yard touchdown throw to Randall Cobb with the game finally finishing 24-23 to the home team. The 20-point comeback is the largest in Rodgers’ career and it comes on the heels of his new record four-year $134 million contract extension he recently signed with the franchise.

Rodgers revealed he was not willing to call time on the game and remain on the sidelines despite suffering what looked to be a serious injury. The quarterback also confirmed he will be on the field when they take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in their second game of the 2018 season.

“It would have taken something really catastrophic to keep me off the field... I had a hard time putting weight on it. We did some tests and I told Doc I was going back,” Rodgers said after inspiring the Packers comeback. “I’m playing next week.”