The Green Bay Packers desperately needed Aaron Rodgers on the field Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Yet he was out following a positive COVID-19 test.
Being unvaccinated, his timeline to return is longer than those who have received a vaccine.
The result was Jordan Love making his first NFL start and having a rough day, which was to be expected.
So when can Rodgers make his return?
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport laid out the timetable along with certain requirements the quarterback must meet.
From @GMFB: What's next for the #Packers and when will QB Aaron Rodgers be cleared off the COVID-19 list? pic.twitter.com/rCKoZ6eJR3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2021
Rodgers is at home quarantining until at least Saturday.
After that, as long as he shows no signs of fever or the virus, he is good to return.
Packers Need Their Star
Love took a lot of heat on social media following Sunday’s loss, but it was his first career start.
He was able to throw a touchdown late and the main problem he faced was timing with his receivers.
Love missed multiple throws to Davante Adams that were clearly timing routes.
The young signal-caller just doesn’t have the connection with Adams that Rodgers has.
Rodgers’ value to the Packers was shown in a big way in this loss.
Given the Chiefs only managed to score 13 points, the result could have been much different with him in the lineup.
That fact is why some fans are likely mad about his vaccination status.
Yet his absence is over and he can return for next Sunday’s game against Seattle if he is healthy again.
As for Love, his future within the organization is not going to be changed after one game.
You know what you can't have in your quarterbacks first start on the road? Missed field goals, blocked field goals, false starts, poor routes, it's one thing to talk about having Jordan Love's back and stepping up, but it's another to act on it. Far too many mistakes for GB.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) November 7, 2021
He just clearly has a long way to go before the team would ever consider benching Rodgers in favor of him.
However, Rodgers may just leave Green Bay altogether to allow the Love era to begin next year.
NEXT: 3 Reasons Packers Can Win Without Aaron Rodgers