The New York Jets have confirmed that injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not play again this season, but he will continue to practice. Despite his 21-day practice window coming to a close, the Jets decided to activate Rodgers to the 53-man roster for the final three games of the season. This move allows him to be part of the team, but it is worth noting that he is taking up a roster spot. Jets Coach Robert Saleh has made it clear that there is no chance of Rodgers getting into a game. The Jets, who are currently out of playoff contention, have enough flexibility on their roster to accommodate this decision. As a result, they now have four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster: Rodgers, Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Brett Rypien.
Rodgers, 40, has been practicing six times over the past three weeks, impressing both his teammates and coaches with his rapid recovery from Achilles surgery in September. While it was always considered a long shot for him to make it back for a game, having him on the football field during practice has been a positive experience for everyone involved. Rodgers had been targeting Sunday’s game as a potential return, but he announced on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was officially done for the season. He admitted that his left Achilles still wasn’t fully healed and that it would likely take another three weeks for him to be completely recovered. If the Jets had not activated him, he would not have been allowed to practice. Nevertheless, Rodgers remains committed to his rehab and continues to work on his recovery every single day.
Rodgers acknowledged the risk of re-rupture if he were to push his recovery too fast. However, now that the Jets have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, he can prioritize his long-term health without the pressure of a timetable to return. While team officials and doctors were involved in discussions about his status, Saleh declined to comment on whether medical clearance was denied. Ultimately, it was Rodgers’ decision to rule himself out for the season. Saleh believes that if Rodgers were 100% fit, he would have pushed harder to play. However, given that he is still a couple of weeks away from being fully recovered, both Rodgers and the team understand the importance of weighing the risks and taking a cautious approach.
Rodgers’ injury early in the season had a significant impact on the Jets’ performance. Their once-promising season quickly spiraled downward, and they will miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year, the longest active drought among the four major U.S. men’s sports leagues. Currently, there is uncertainty over who will start as the Jets’ quarterback for the remainder of the season. Siemian could potentially be the fourth quarterback to start for the team, but Saleh has not ruled out Wilson. Despite taking several hits in their previous game against the Miami Dolphins, Wilson’s potential return will depend on his recovery from a concussion.
Wilson’s mother, Lisa Wilson, recently shared details about her son’s concussion on social media. She revealed that he left the game due to blurred vision and depth perception issues. Throughout the game, Wilson had been experiencing symptoms from some particularly hard hits. However, he did not inform anyone on the sideline, as he wanted to continue playing. Wilson was evaluated and cleared by a neurologist early in the game, as reported by the CBS telecast. Eventually, he was removed from the game by an independent neurologist. Saleh emphasized the importance of players communicating any issues they experience on the field and credited Wilson for his determination and resilience.
Overall, while Aaron Rodgers may not be able to participate in the Jets’ games for the rest of the season, his presence in practice serves as a positive influence on the team. The Jets, now out of playoff contention, can focus on the recovery and long-term health of their players. The decision to activate Rodgers to the roster allows him to continue his rehabilitation progress and provides support to his teammates. Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, the Jets remain hopeful for their future and continue to evaluate their quarterback options for the remaining games. With the commitment and determination displayed by both Rodgers and Wilson, the Jets will look to finish the season on a positive note.
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