Aaron Rodgers was able to get over his bout with COVID relatively quickly. The Packers' unvaccinated quarterback missed 10 days of action but was only out for one game against the Chiefs.
How did he feel after his first game back against the Vikings? Pretty good overall, he said on "The Pat McAfee Show," but there is one small problem.
"No lingering effects other than the COVID toe," Rodgers told McAfee.
COVID toe is an actual condition. What is it? And is it related to the painful injury that Rodgers previously referenced after the Packers' 34-31 loss to the Vikings? It turns out, they are separate things, as Rodgers cleared up the confusion on Wednesday by explaining he's suffering through a fractured toe.
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What is COVID toe?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, some people "develop discolored and swollen toes" as a result of contracting the coronavirus.
The New York Times explained some of the symptoms more in-depth, and also noted that COVID toes are actually a good sign for the body's immune system.
The lesions are red or purple in white people, and often purplish or brownish in people of color. They cause painful burning or itching sensations, and sometimes make it difficult for people to wear shoes or walk.
Now a study from France, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, sheds some light on the causes of Covid toes. The research indicates that the lesions may be a side effect of the immune system’s shift into high gear in response to exposure to the virus, which can damage cells and tissues in the process.
Was that what Rodgers is dealing with? It sounded like it after his interview with McAfee, but that wasn't actually the case.
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What is Aaron Rodgers' injury?
Rodgers said that he had COVID toe in his discussions with McAfee, but it appears that he was kidding. On Wednesday, he cleared the air about how a different foot injury is causing him pain.
"I've mentioned that it was more painful than turf toe and I had turf toe years ago. The problem with turf toe is that it's that joint in your big toe and it is very painful," Rodgers said. "So naturally I'm leading people to understand that if it's worse than turf toe, there must be some sort of bone issue."
It was, in fact, a bone issue. Rodgers revealed that he was dealing with a broken toe at his Wednesday news conference. He showed the reporters on Zoom his injury.
“I have a fractured toe.” pic.twitter.com/DFJJ1OF7LC
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 24, 2021
Rodgers suffered the fracture while working out during his quarantine. So, it was technically a COVID-related toe injury. It just isn't COVID toe as he initially said it was.
When will Rodgers be 100 percent after this injury? He presented a couple of options, but it doesn't appear that he'll miss time either way.
"It's about pain management," Rodgers said, per PFF's Doug Kyed. "There's surgical options, as well, that wouldn't involve missing time."
Rodgers completed 23 of 33 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns against the Vikings despite the injury, so the Packers shouldn't expect a huge drop-off from their franchise quarterback.
