NFL teams think the Packers should be forced to release Aaron Rodgers

With Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, you’d think the rest of the NFL wouldn’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth.

But nope.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that a few unnamed teams are miffed at the way the Packers returned Rodgers to the IR after he briefly returned from a shoulder injury to play against the Carolina Panthers in Week 15.

Those teams believe the Packers violated NFL rules by again placing Rodgers on the IR after the Packers were eliminated from playoff contention with Atlanta’s win over Tampa Bay on Monday night. Rules state a player must suffer a new injury every time he is placed on the IR.

The consequences aren’t small. If a player doesn’t suffer a new injury that keeps him out six weeks, NFL rules say the player must be released and placed on waivers once healthy.

If that’s the case, the Cleveland Browns’ long wait for a quarterback may finally be over!

And Packers fans may have awoken to the biggest lump of coal imaginable.

Of course, it’s hard to imagine the NFL would allow such a thing to happen on a technicality, especially since teams do the same thing with lesser players without anyone ever raising a stink.

Schefter reported that the NFL referred all inquiries to the Packers, who declined comment.

Bottom line: If Rodgers is on the IR because of the same broken clavicle that put him there the first time, the Packers will have to get creative in inventing a second ailment if the NFL investigates further.

More NFL coverage from Yahoo Sports:

• Gruden reportedly calling would-be assistants
• Star QB may return to UCLA to avoid being drafted by Browns
• Steelers cut 5-time Pro Bowler James Harrison
• Key to Rams’ success? Jeff Fisher takes the credit