After a sack on Aaron Rodgers, right, the Green Bay Packers quarterback checks on the Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers during the second half in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday. (AP photo)

The Green Bay Packers’ streak of eight straight postseason appearances is over. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is done for the year after he was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and tossed three interceptions in Sunday’s 31-24 loss at Carolina in his return from a broken collarbone. Coach Mike McCarthy said there were no setbacks with Rodgers’ injury, but it made sense to shut him down.

“He took a number of hits. With all the factors involved, we felt this was clearly in Aaron Rodgers’ best interest,” McCarthy said. “He’s not happy about it. It’s a hard day for him.”

It’s an unusual time for the team as a whole.

The Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, right, protects the football as the Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers, center right, and Mario Addison, second from right, combine for a sack during the second half in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday. The Panthers won 31-24. (AP photo)

The Packers last missed the playoffs in 2008, which was Rodgers’ first season as the starter. They’re not used to playing games this late into December without postseason implications.

Atlanta’s win over Tampa Bay on Monday night sealed Green Bay’s fate in the NFC wild-card chase. Packers receiver Randall Cobb dozed off in front of the TV while watching the game and woke up on Tuesday morning to difficult news.

“It’s very disappointing. You never want to be in this situation,” Cobb said, “but we are.”

The Packers managed to go 3-4 in games started by backup quarterback Brett Hundley to keep their playoff hopes alive while Rodgers was out. With Rodgers done, Hundley will take over again as the starter Saturday against Minnesota, and the Packers re-signed Joe Callahan to be his backup.

The last three games of the year figured to be tough with or without Rodgers. He was knocked out in Week 6 after landing on his right arm after a hard hit outside the pocket by Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr.

“I mean you can’t go out there trying to take someone out like that. Just play ball, we don’t really think about it too much,” left guard Lane Taylor said when asked about motivation to face Barr again.

So the Packers are in the unusual position of possibly playing the spoiler role. Their final foe, the Detroit Lions, also remains in the wild-card chase.

An early end to a season for a team perennially considered a Super Bowl contender could spark more change in the offseason, especially on defense. The Packers haven’t had consistent pass-rushing punch on the edge, a group led by outside linebacker Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.

Injuries have also have decimated the Packers at cornerback, which was already a question mark.