Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is hopeful he can play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, but as he mentioned during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday, there are COVID-19-protocol hurdles he must clear medically before getting the green light to return.
Rodgers can rejoin the team Saturday after completing his mandatory 10-day COVID-19 quarantine so long as he remains asymptomatic. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has said that if Rodgers is available to play against Seattle, he will. He’ll do so even without a single snap of practice.
Aaron Rodgers’ COVID-19 situation
But as Rodgers mentioned Tuesday, there’s another benchmark he must meet before the NFL allows him to play:
“There might be a possibility, but a small possibility,” Rodgers said of potentially not being permitted to suit up this weekend. “There’s a health hurdle. As far as like movement and sweating and getting into it, making sure my body, especially my heart, is fine with physical excursion.”
So what does that mean? Rodgers was alluding to a cardiac screen that Rodgers must pass. That’s to ensure he does not have myocarditis or inflammation of the heart’s outer lining. These responses are rare (and potentially fatal) conditions linked to the virus.
Rodgers seemed to suggest that he expects to meet the other criteria needed to return. That includes no fever for more than 24 hours.
Is Aaron Rodgers asymptomatic?
“I’m excited about feeling better,” Rodgers said. “I’m excited about moving forward and hopefully getting back with my team. And getting back to doing what I do best, which is playing ball. It’s been tough to be away from it. I’ve obviously been dealing with the COVID, and I feel like I’m on the other side of it thankfully.”
Rodgers’ most recent appearance on McAfee’s program was far more conciliatory than his last. In Rodgers’ previous appearance, he defended his decision not to get vaccinated with some medical justifications that were dubious at best and outright false at worst.
He apologized to those he misled by his claim in training camp that he was “immunized” against the virus. Many took this to mean he got the vaccination. He did not. Instead, he underwent a homeopathic treatment intended to raise his antibody levels.
Rodgers never corrected the record until after he tested positive. He also broke league rules by attending news conferences and unofficial team functions — including a recent Halloween party — without a mask.
NFL fines Rodgers, Packers
Late Tuesday, the NFL notified members of the media that Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard had both been fined $14,650 for violations of the league and NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. Furthermore, the Packers were fined $300,000 for not disciplining those players for those violations.
“We respect the league’s findings. And we recognize the importance of adherence to the COVID protocols to keep our team and organization safe and healthy,” Packers president Mark Murphy told NFL Media. “We will continue to educate the team regarding the importance of the protocols and remain committed to operating within the protocols.”
If Rodgers does indeed return this week, Jordan Love will go back to the bench after one unimpressive start. The 2020 first-round pick completed 19 of 34 passes for 190 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception in the Packers’ 13-7 Week 9 loss to the Chiefs.