The Green Bay Packers saw franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers leave Sunday’s game on a cart with a collarbone injury, and he might not be back on the field for a long time.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr drove Rodgers into the ground as the quarterback was releasing a pass. As Rodgers went down he instinctively put out his right arm to brace his fall, and he landed awkwardly. Rodgers came out of the game, as Brett Hundley went in for a third-down handoff, and later left the field on the cart.

During the third quarter of the game, the Packers made it official: Rodgers broke his collarbone. Even more concerning is that the Packers said right away that Rodgers could miss the rest of the season. It’s rare to see teams announce that so early. The last time Rodgers broke his collarbone was 2013 and he missed seven games but returned late in the season.

When Rodgers left the field Hundley came over to give him a high-five for support, and Rodgers didn’t move his right arm. He reached across his body with his left arm, and it was hard to not notice that.

Rodgers seemed to have words for Barr as he left the field. Barr’s hit seemed unnecessary. On the Fox broadcast, officiating expert Mike Pereira said he thought it was legal.

The Packers turned to Hundley after Rodgers left, but the concern in Green Bay was for more than just Sunday’s game.

Rodgers got at least one offer of sympathy, via social media, from a fellow NFL player:

More NFL on Yahoo Sports

– – – – – – –

Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Follow @YahooSchwab