New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers talks to reporters after a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Aaron Rodgers’ road to recovery from a torn Achilles injury has taken a huge turn for the New York Jets.
Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the team will open the 21-day practice window for Rodgers – a move that comes after Rodgers returned to the team facility this week. While the organization made clear that the move was part of the “next step in his rehab” and not an indication of when he would return to game action, the roster move was a clear sign of Rodgers continuing to defy modern medicine.
The four-time NFL MVP tore his Achilles just 79 days ago and has been cleared for “functional football activity” according to Saleh. The Jets’ head coach explained that Rodgers would be able to participate in individual activities and routes on air but would be on the side field for most of that action.
With the roster IR designation, New York will have 21 days to activate Rodgers or the rest of the season will be done. Gang Green could also activate Rodgers within that time frame and not play him while leaving him inactive as well – something they have done with Duane Brown over the last few weeks.
“You are allowed a certain amount of IR designations,” Saleh explained. “We’re in this position where we have some extra space. So the technicality of it is either he’s doing everything he’s cleared for off to the side or with his teammates.”
Rodgers has already made it clear that he would not return to game action if he was not cleared by doctors. He also mentioned on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday that the Jets would have to be alive in the AFC Playoff race for him to return at all in 2023.
New York currently sits at 4-7 on the year and has a less than 1% chance to make the playoffs at this…
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