Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned to practice this week, just 11 weeks following surgery on his torn Achilles. Getting back on the practice field was the next step in Rodgers’ rehab. The team opened his 21-day practice window Wednesday, giving the team until December 20 to move Rodgers back to the 53-man roster.
Rodgers remains adamant he will return to game action this season with a potential target of December 24 against the Washington Commanders. Rodgers has not yet ruled out that possibility.
“I think anything’s possible,” Rodgers said, taking a page from Kevin Garnett after the Boston Celtics won the 2008 NBA championship.
However, Rodgers remains realistic about his health and the Jets’ playoff chances, even saying he’d be surprised if team doctors clear him and he rushed back with the Jets out of the playoff hunt.
“It would be a risk for myself, for the team to sign off on,” Rodgers said. “If we’re out of it, I would be surprised if they would OK that to come back.”
Rodgers said one step for him is making it through consecutive practices. Rodgers did not practice Thursday, which was the plan in this early stage of his latest rehab step. Rodgers does hope to eventually ramp up his practice activities, perhaps as soon as next week.
Rodgers had surgery September 13, a procedure that included a speed bridge, a new surgery that is designed to expedite the recovery process. Just weeks after the operation, Rodgers was already without crutches and throwing a football on the field before Jets games at MetLife.
For any player, this recovery is unprecedented. Current Viking and former Rams running back Cam Akers was able to return in about five months from an Achilles injury in 2021, suffering the injury in July and returning to game action in Week 18 and playing in the playoffs.
Rodgers will be 40 years old. Akers was 22 at the time of his injury. Yet Rodgers powered through his rehab to put himself in this position. Will he actually play? That remains to be seen. The Jets are 4-7 with very slim playoff chances. The Jets host the Falcons and Texans before visiting Miami in the next three weeks. New York may have to win all three to give Rodgers a reason to return.
