How in the world did Packers receiver Jordy Nelson play with fractured ribs?

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson played Sunday despite being in serious pain and wearing some military-grade armor against the Atlanta Falcons. That was remarkable in its own right. We’re talking Kevlar padding that’s protecting his fractured ribs.

So Nelson was not only dealing with pain, potential breathing issues and some cumbersome gear … but he also performed early. He finished with six catches (on nine targets) for 67 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Falcons thrashed the Packers, 44-21.

The effort obviously impressed his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

On the Packers’ first drive, Rodgers targeted Nelson on his first two throws of the game, connecting on completions of 27 and 15 yards. Nelson also took a shot from hard-hitting rookie safety Keanu Neal, who drilled Nelson out of bounds. That likely means that the pain didn’t get better — no matter what numbing agents the Packers medical staff — pumped into him before and during the game.

Here’s to you, Jordy, on a tough day.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!

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