Packers: With no shot at the playoffs, Rodgers shut down

GREEN BAY, WIS.— Aaron Rodgers is done for the season.

The Green Bay Packers put their star quarterback on injured reserve Tuesday, a day after they were eliminated from playoff contention.

Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and tossed three interceptions in Sunday’s 31-24 loss at Carolina in his return from a broken collarbone. Coach Mike McCarthy said there were no setbacks with Rodgers’ injury, but it made sense to shut him down.

“He took a number of hits. With all the factors involved, we felt this was clearly in Aaron Rodgers’ best in- terest,” McCarthy said. “He’s not happy about it. It’s a hard day for him.”

It’s an unusual time for the team as a whole.

The Packers last missed the playoffs in 2008, which was Rodgers’ first season as the starter. They’re not used to playing games this late into December without post-season implications.

Atlanta’s win over Tampa Bay on Monday night sealed Green Bay’s fate in the NFC wild-card chase.

“It’s very disappointing. You never want to be in this situation,” receiver Randall Cobb said, “but we are.”

The Packers were 3-4 in games started by backup quarterback Brett Hundley to keep their playoff hopes alive while Rodgers was out. With Rodgers done, Hundley will take over again as the starter Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Packers re-signed Joe Callahan to be his backup.

The Packers are in the unusual position of possibly playing the spoiler role. The Vikings have clinched the NFC North and are trying to clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs. Green Bay’s final foe, the Detroit Lions in Week 17, also remains in the chase for a wild-card spot.

Rodgers was injured in Week 6 after landing on his right arm after a hard hit outside the pocket by Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr.