Packers QB Rodgers may need surgery

Dec 25, 2008 - 7:27 PM GREEN BAY (Ticker) -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers may need shoulder surgery at season's end, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on Thursday.

Rodgers, who has gone 5-10 in his first season as a starter, suffered a sprained right shoulder in Week Four vs. Tampa Bay, but has not missed any time.

"We'll take a look at that after the season, probably," Rodgers told the newspaper Wednesday.

That fact that he hasn't missed time holds a lot of weight in Green Bay, where he is replacing the most durable quarterback of all-time, Brett Favre.

Rodgers told the paper that he hasn't had an MRI lately and that he is not sure what kind of condition his shoulder is in.

"From a physical toughness standpoint, I've always taken pride in being able to play through injuries. This year, I dealt with some minor injuries and then my shoulder, which was a little bit more of a significant injury. But that's just kind of the way I operate, and I think (it's the way) most guys in the league operate. We all play with pain.

"Being on the field, to me, is the most important thing, and a lot of times I put the status of my body on the back seat if I feel like I give us the best chance to win.

The 24th overall pick of the 2005 draft, Rodgers was finally given the starting job this offseason when the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets following a messy dispute over his retirement.

Rodgers has been one of the better quarterback in the NFC, completing 320-of-505 passes for 3,730 yards with 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Meanwhile, Favre has thrown 21 touchdowns and a league-worst 19 interceptions.

Rodgers and the Packers wrap up a disappointing season at home against Detroit (0-15) on Sunday.