The Jets QB room is an Achilles heel, thanks to an Achilles tear. That might not be the case for too much longer.
If you haven’t heard, Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in the Jets’ Week 1 win over the Bills. For any mere mortal, an Achilles injury would be season-ending, but if you’ve seen Aaron Rodgers ever throw a football, the ‘mere mortal’ thing might be a stretch.
The Jets passer has made it abundantly clear that his intention is to return to the field in 2023, an assertion that’s been eyebrow-raising to those who are familiar with the lengthy rehab process following surgery to repair a torn Achilles.
Still, the quarterback’s public comments and videos that have surfaced of his weekly progression have allowed for a big ‘maybe’ when it comes to a 2023 return – and that may be enough to keep the Jets’ playoff hopes alive.
Here’s what to know about Rodgers’ potential return in 2023:
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
When is Aaron Rodgers coming back?
Following the Jets’ 27-6 Week 9 ‘Monday Night Football’ loss to the Chargers, cameras caught Rodgers telling Chargers safety Derwin James, ‘give me a few weeks’ in regards to a return. If that seemed a little too good to be true, it apparently was.
‘It’s gonna be a few fortnights – it’ll be a few fortnights,’ Rodgers said.
Taking Rodgers at his most literal, a few (meaning three) and a fortnight (meaning two weeks), means that ‘a few fortnights’ puts him at a six-week return to the field. That means that Rodgers could return to the field as soon as Christmas Eve for the Jets’ Week 16 matchup vs. the Commanders.
Aaron Rodgers remains on injured reserve as of Nov. 8, but he can be activated at any time and play soon after, with his 21-day practice window opening once he’s activated.
Still, Rodgers has made it clear, through his own words, that he is angling for a return in 2023. If Rodgers is honest about his return date, then Jets fans will be in for a heck of an early Christmas gift.
Aaron Rodgers injury updates
Rodgers has been adamant that his rehab process is on or ahead of schedule in various interviews with McAfee, his only public speaking appearances since his injury in Week 1. On Oct. 15, Rodgers made a return to the MetLife Stadium field, where he was seen throwing passes without the aid of crutches prior the Jets win over the Eagles.
Since then, Rodgers has been at Jets home games, and has seemed more and more spry while throwing passes pregame. In Week 9, Rodgers was going as far as to drop back while throwing passes.
While Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been non-committal on a Rodgers return this year, if the quarterback is honest about potential return date, then Jets fans will be in for a heck of an early Christmas gift.
