Four-time National Football League MVP Aaron Rodgers has taken a big step toward making his improbable comeback from an Achilles tear. The New York Jets opened the 21-day practice window for the 39-year-old on Wednesday, 11 weeks after he underwent surgery to repair an injury that forced him out of his team’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. While the quarterback will be limited in his participation and remains non-contact, head coach Robert Saleh said there is no added risk in allowing Rodgers to move up the timeline in his recovery process.
On the fourth play from scrimmage in the opening quarter of that Sept. 11 game at MetLife Stadium, Rodgers was sacked by pass rusher Leonard Floyd and fell on the turf as his left leg buckled underneath him. He had to be helped off the field by two Jets’ medical staff members. Since then, he has been a fixture in the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park, working with teammates and going through drills while using crutches. He has also taken a few dropbacks at practice.
His return to practice was an important milestone, but it does not mean he will be back in game action this season. The Jets are 4-7 after a loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday and would need a lot of help to reach January’s playoffs, including Rodgers returning to form in time to lead them to a road win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. In the meantime, Tim Boyle is set to start against the Falcons at home.
Rodgers’ re-entry into practice was widely celebrated on social media, with even NBA superstar LeBron James chiming in to marvel at the speed of his progress. “Simply INCREDIBLE!! Back where he belongs!” the three-time league MVP wrote on an X account.
The Jets will use the remainder of the 21-day practice window to decide whether to activate Rodgers from injured reserve. If they do, the quarterback will be eligible to return in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.
In addition to Rodgers, the Jets also opened the practice window for special teams captain Justin Hardee and OL Wes Schweitzer. Hardee, the former Seattle and Pittsburgh Steelers special teams ace, has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury that caused him to land on injured reserve Oct. 14. He has one special teams tackle this year.
Schweitzer, a sixth-year veteran who signed with the Jets this offseason, had been playing on a limited basis before suffering an ankle injury in Week 5. He has played just 115 special teams snaps this year. The team will also host the Atlanta Falcons at home in their final game of the regular season on Sunday, and kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
