Report: Packers WR Randall Cobb might miss rest of regular season after core muscle surgery

Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers is doing his best to manage the fractured pinkie toe he's played through over the past three games while hoping to avoid surgery. 

It appears the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player may be without a favorite target over at least the next five contests. 

ESPN's Rob Demovsky reports veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb underwent surgery last week to repair a core muscle injury he suffered during the first half of the win over the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 28 ahead of the bye. Demovsky adds Green Bay hopes Cobb will be available for the playoffs next month, which indicates the 31-year-old likely won't play again before the postseason tournament. 

"Cobby's going to be out for a while; he had a pretty significant injury," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Thursday. "That's unfortunate because I thought he has done such an amazing job when given the opportunity. We were talking about just his targets on third down alone." 

Per ESPN stats, Cobb becomes a spectator tied for the team lead with five touchdown receptions this season. He's second among Green Bay players with 375 receiving yards and third with 28 catches. Either Allen Lazard or Equanimeous St. Brown could see an uptick in targets during Cobb's absence. 

The 9-3 Packers host the 4-8 Chicago Bears in this week's "Sunday Night Football" game.