Latest Aaron Rodgers injury update sums up NFL star as early return possible
NFL icon Aaron Rodgers is "dominating rehab" in his recovery from a torn Achilles, and seems determined to return to the field this season.
The quarterback sustained the injury on his debut for the New York Jets against the Buffalo Bills in September. The diagnosis was that would not play again this season, but the former league MVP is determined to defy the odds and return later in the campaign.
Based on the accounts of his Jets colleagues, Rodgers is ahead of schedule as he bids to make a lightning recovery from a devastating injury. “He is on a mission. I don’t put anything past him. I’ve heard he’s absolutely dominating rehab and he really wants to get back this year,” Jets coach Robert Saleh told NBC Sports.
“That’s why getting wins like this and staying in it and staying in the hunt, giving him that opportunity to fulfill his mission, is so vital. Everyone’s in awe that he’s even walking. He’s a freakazoid.” Before the Jets ended the Philadelphia Eagles’ undefeated streak on Sunday, Rodgers left spectators in shock when he was seen on the field practicing his throwing without any crutches.
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He threw for five minutes during the pregame warmups on the field to a Jets member of staff before throwing to star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who did not play on Sunday after suffering a concussion. Rodgers’ debut for his new franchise was one of the most eagerly anticipated moments heading into the new season.
After spending 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers opted to leave this offseason for a spell in the Big Apple. But after several minutes the Achilles injury forced him off the field, leaving the 2011 Super Bowl winner crestfallen. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” in September, Rodgers spoke of his desire to return as quickly as possible and being determined to prove any naysayers wrong.
“Give me the doubts,” he said. “Give me the timetables. Give me all the things that you think can, should or will happen, because all I need is that one little extra percent of inspiration. That’s all I need. Give me your doubts. Give me your prognostications. And then watch what I do.” Rodgers, who has a weekly slot on the Pat McAfee show, said in October that he was ahead of his schedule regarding his recovery, but a return would hinge on the Jets’ progress in regards to qualifying for the Playoffs, something the franchise has not managed since 2010.
Rodgers suffered the injury on his New York Jets debut but he is trying to return before the end of the season (AP)“It’s pretty obvious I’m well ahead of the normal protocols when it comes to rehab for this kind of thing,” Rodgers said. “But obviously I’d like us to be alive and winning for that even to be in the conversation. I don’t think it hurts at all to put that into the manifestation Zeitgeist and with all the modalities that we’re doing, I feel like we’ve put ourselves in a position to make that decision at some point.”
The Jets have somewhat improved over the last two weeks. They defeated the Denver Broncos in Week 5 before producing one of the shocks of the season on Sunday. Rodgers was on the sidelines as the AFC East team beat the Eagles 20-14 to win their third match of the season and second in a row.
The quarterback was on the sidelines with a headset on and according to The Athletic, he was giving suggestions to Jets coaches during the game. Only one coach is allowed to speak to the player with a headset in their microphone on both sides of the ball. This advice was likely fed through to Zach Wilson. He took Rodgers’ place in the Jets starting lineup after the injury and has gradually improved his performances over the last three games.
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