Jets officially place Aaron Rodgers on injured reserve after Achilles injury
The New York Jets placed quarterback Aaron Rodgers on injured reserve Tuesday after he suffered a torn Achilles in the 22-16 win over the Buffalo Bills Monday.
The injury occurred after Bills edge rusher Leonard Floyd sacked Rodgers to the ground on the fourth play of the Jets’ first offensive drive of the game. Rodgers went into the blue medical tent after being helped off the field. He went back to the locker room on a cart and the Jets announced him as out for the remainder of the game.
Head coach Robert Saleh expressed concern with Rodgers’ Achilles after the game, which an MRI Tuesday confirmed to be a full tear, meaning the 39-year-old will miss the entire season.
With Rodgers sidelined, New York will turn to Zach Wilson, its 2021 second overall pick. Wilson has started 22 games over the past two seasons, throwing for 4,022 yards, 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Jets benched Wilson this past season after poor play, prompting them to acquire the four-time NFL MVP Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers.
He completed 14-of-21 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the victory over Buffalo. Saleh made it clear Tuesday that Wilson will start in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday.
“I want to make it very clear, Zach’s our quarterback,” Saleh said. “We have a lot of faith in Zach. We’re rolling with Zach and excited for him.”
Saleh did say the team plans to add a veteran quarterback to the roster. But that’s to provide more depth at the position and not challenge Wilson for the starting job.
“This is Zach’s team and we’re rolling with Zach,” Saleh said.
Former NFL doctor David Chao reveals rehab process for Aaron Rodgers
While some feel Rodgers’ career could be in jeopardy, former NFL team doctor David Chao is confident in his ability to return from the injury.
“Medically, I’m confident in his recovery, even though he’s 39 and he’ll be 40,” Chao said on “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday. “How does it compare to an ACL? In some ways, it’s harder because it takes longer. But in some ways, it’s more guaranteed. I’m confident that he can, indeed, come back. I get he’s 40 but even if Aaron Rodgers comes back, and he’s a little, tiny bit less mobile, he’s still Aaron Rodgers.
“And Aaron Rodgers coming off an Achilles, I guarantee you, is more mobile than Tom Brady at 45. More mobile than your guy Peyton Manning, more mobile than my guy Phillip Rivers at the age of 25. I have high optimism because of the mental side but also the medical side that he will come back next year.”