Rodgers announces he’s cleared to return
Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to return after missing seven games with a broken right collarbone, the Packers’ quarterback announced on Instagram Tuesday night.
Rodgers was hurt during a loss to Minnesota on Oct. 15 and had surgery four days later. He returned to practice Dec. 2 and is eligible to rejoin the 53-man roster Friday, which means the two-time MVP could suit up for Sunday’s game at Carolina.
“It’s been a long road ... but I’m happy to say I’ve been medically cleared to return,” the Cal alum wrote. “Thanks for all the love, support, prayers and well wishes over the past 8 weeks and a big thank you to Dr. (Pat) McKenzie and our incredible training staff.”
The Packers (7-6) likely need to win their final three games to make the playoffs. They went 3-4 without Rodgers after starting the season 4-2.
Rodgers had his collarbone scanned Monday morning. That afternoon, head coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t sure whether Rodgers or backup Brett Hundley would be his quarterback.
“I’d like to know as soon as possible,” McCarthy said. “... But this is a medical decision and Dr. McKenzie is in touch with a number of different medical experts and they’re evaluating the information.”
Those meetings ran deep into Tuesday before a conclusion was reached. Peters returns: Kansas City All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters returned to the practice field after a series of embarrassing antics earned the Oakland native a one-game suspension.
“None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “.... We all deal with our own things and we need him. We need him back and rolling.”
The Chargers come to Arrowhead Saturday in a matchup of the AFC West’s co-leaders Hester done: Devin Hester, the speedster who holds the NFL record for kick-return touchdowns with 20, has announced his retirement from the NFL.
“Good news: Commissioner Goodell, you can put the kickoff back at the 30,” the four-time Pro Bowler wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. “Bad news: Y’all will have to find a new favorite returner.”
Hester, 35, had his best years with the Bears. At the end of his rookie season, he took the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl 92 yards for a touchdown against Indianapolis, though the Colts won the game. Shazier on IR: Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier was placed on injured reserve because of a spinal injury suffered in a win at Cincinnati on Dec. 4. Shazier, 25, underwent spinal stabilization surgery last week and remains in the hospital. The team has not released the exact nature of Shazier’s injury or his long-term prognosis.