Daily Madden: Rodgers Plays Through His Injury; Manning Cannot
(KCBS) - It turns out more than one quarterback was playing with a serious injury in the weekend's NFL playoff games. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been nursing a calf injury.
Now ESPN is reporting that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been playing with a torn right quad over the last month.
"Once you hear that a guy has a thigh -- or in Aaron Rodgers' case he has a calf -- you darn near have to assume that it's a tear," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "Sometimes the way they make it sound -- you know, he has a little thigh, he has a little calf -- like he has a bruise or something. Well, you know that goes away quickly, but a torn muscle is a real problem. And that's what Aaron Rodgers has, and that's what Peyton Manning has is a tear."
Rodgers managed to lead the Packers to a win over Dallas, but Manning looked out of sorts in the Broncos' loss to the Colts.
"It was interesting where Aaron Rodgers was hurt and injured and had a tear, and he was able to get through it and win a game. Tony Romo was injured and was able to get through it. And Peyton Manning wasn't able to get through his. It didn't look like it was fair. He just couldn't function with what he had."
The Colts now head to New England to face the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
"I think (the Colts) have a good chance to put up a good game," Madden said. "I would be surprised if they would win there." (6:45)
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 and Monday and Friday mornings at 9:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.