Report: Teams Believe Aaron Rodgers Should Be Released Due to IR Violation

Several NFL teams have reportedly taken umbrage with the Green Bay Packers' decision to place Aaron Rodgers on season-ending injured reserve.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, clubs have grown frustrated because "NFL rules stipulate that a player needs to have suffered a new injury that would sideline him at least six weeks to be placed on injured reserve. If that is not the case, the team is obligated to release the player once he is healthy."

Rodgers—who was activated off injured reserve prior to the Packers' Week 15 loss to the Carolina Panthers after nursing a broken collarbone—was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday. No new injury was announced at the time of the transaction. 

As a result, Schefter reports teams believe the Packers "should have to release" Rodgers. 

However, Schefter noted "nobody expects" Rodgers will be released, which is why teams felt it was necessary to complain to the league office in the first place.

When Rodgers was activated off IR, it was widely reported that he was returning to the field at less than full strength. Prior to Rodgers' return, one source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport his collarbone was "not 100 percent healed."

He proceeded to complete 26 of 45 passes for 290 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the Packers' 31-24 loss to the Panthers.

All told, Rodgers threw for 1,675 yards, 16 scores and six picks over seven games. It was the first time since 2013 that Rodgers missed a regular-season appearance.