Aaron Rodgers sustains injury while being sacked by Leonard Floyd during his Jets debut (Getty Images)
During his fourth play of the season, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered what could be a severe leg injury, which is a big setback for the future Hall of Famer and the New York team’s hopes for the Super Bowl.
Coach’s Concerns
Coach Robert Saleh revealed that Rodgers would undergo an MRI on Tuesday, but he painted a gloomy outlook on Monday night following the Jets’ 22-16 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium.
“The MRI will likely confirm our fears, so we ask for prayers tonight,” Saleh told reporters with a somber tone. “But the news isn’t good.”
A torn Achilles tendon would mean Rodgers can’t play for the rest of the season. Given Rodgers’ age, 39, such a severe injury also raises questions about his future in football, even though he mentioned recently that he hopes to play a few more years.
Game-Changing Play
In his much-anticipated debut with the Jets, Rodgers went down with 10:56 left in the first quarter after trying to escape a sack by defensive end Leonard Floyd. He got twisted and his left foot appeared to get stuck in the turf.
Rodgers had a similar leg issue, a strained calf, during spring workouts (OTAs), but it didn’t cause him to miss any practice time during training camp.
After the sack, Rodgers stayed down and needed help from the medical staff to get to the sideline. He spent a few minutes in the injury tent before being taken away on a cart. He eventually limped through the tunnel to the locker room.
“As we were trying to help him up or talk to him about getting up, he just said, ‘No. I’m not getting up,'” said guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. “When a player says that, you know it’s probably not good. It’s not what we wanted.”
Former starting quarterback Zach Wilson replaced Rodgers, threw a touchdown pass, and led the Jets to a comeback win. But the joy of victory was dampened by Rodgers’ injury.
Team’s Reaction to Rodgers’ Injury
“I’m not hurting for myself or our team; I’m hurting for Aaron and all he’s put into this,” Saleh expressed. “I’ll keep praying and hoping. My heart goes out to Aaron.”
Rodgers didn’t speak to the media after the game; he had already left the stadium. At halftime, he was in the locker room, where several players told him they loved him.
The Play That Led to the Injury
The injury occurred on an unusual play. It was supposed to be a quick pass, but Rodgers held onto the ball and extended the play. Left tackle Duane Brown, expecting a quick throw, tried to cut block Floyd but stumbled, leaving Floyd a clear path to Rodgers.
Brown, 38, had offseason shoulder surgery and had limited practice time in training camp. This was his first game back in action. The starting offensive line hadn’t played together in the preseason, and Rodgers faced pressure on his only two dropbacks.
“Duane can’t blame himself for that,” Saleh said.
Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, finished the game. The Jets didn’t have a third quarterback ready for the game, as they decided to leave Tim Boyle on the practice squad. They’ll likely sign another quarterback, but Saleh said they plan to move forward with Wilson as the starter. Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Wilson’s 8-14 record as a starter and two demotions last season prompted the Jets to make a blockbuster trade for Rodgers. The whole offseason revolved around Rodgers, who quickly brought a positive impact to the team with his leadership
Rodgers’ Injury History and Its Impact on the 2024 Draft
Rodgers has dealt with significant injuries in the past, including a fractured collarbone in 2013 and a fractured clavicle in 2017. This injury will affect the 2024 draft; the second-round pick going to the Green Bay Packers is conditional, based on Rodgers playing 65% of the time. Given the injury, it’s unlikely that the condition will be met.
Source: ESPN
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