Packers QB Rodgers: Surgery not needed

Dec 29, 2008 - 11:19 PM GREEN BAY (Ticker) -- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday said he does not think he will need shoulder surgery in the offseason.

Rodgers, who went 6-10 in his first season as a starter, suffered a sprained right shoulder in Week Four vs. Tampa Bay, but did not miss any time. Rodgers said the shoulder will be evaluated, but doesn't see any reason for surgery.

"Unless there's a serious reason, if it's not broken, don't fix it," he said. "My shoulder is feeling great. I haven't worn a harness for a number of weeks on it, so I don't see any reason to do a surgery."

That fact that Rodgers was able to play a full 16-game season holds a lot of weight in Green Bay, where he replaced the most durable quarterback of all-time, Brett Favre.

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

Rodgers was one of the better quarterbacks in the NFC, completing 341-of-536 passes for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Meanwhile, Favre threw 22 touchdowns and a league-worst 22 interceptions.