Aaron Rodgers walking without crutches after Achilles surgery
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers shocked fans at MetLife Stadium two weeks ago when he appeared on the sideline with crutches just three weeks after surgery for his torn Achilles. As it turns out, the former Packers star was also able to walk without the crutches at the time, though it’s unclear how long he could sustain the mobility without the helpful aides.
On the New York Jets’ All-Access show, the team captured Rodgers walking into the locker room without crutches. The veteran joked: “Let me just do my thing, OK!?… Just show ’em I can walk.”
Walking, even with a limp, just three weeks after surgery is incredibly impressive and a sign that at 39 years old, Rodgers may be able to make a comeback this season. Whether the Jets want him to rush back to play will likely depend on their record at the time.
The 2-3 squad faces the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET in MetLife Stadium.
Jets OL Alijah Vera-Tucker also suffers torn Achilles
As if the New York Jets haven’t had enough bad luck this season, head coach Robert Saleh announced on Monday that offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker is out for the year after suffering a torn Achilles on Sunday against the Broncos.
This is the second year in a row that the former USC has had his season cut short due to injury. In 2022, Vera-Tucker tore his triceps muscle, also in the month of October, knocking him out for the rest of the year.
Now, the versatile tackle will join Rodgers in the arduous recovery process with the hopes of returning for the 2024 season in full health. The former Packers QB is hoping to recover even sooner than that.
Rodgers ahead of schedule in rehab
The presence of Rodgers on the sideline for the Jets’ Sunday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs was a sight to see after he suffered from a torn Achilles in the very first possession of his New York debut.
On the ‘Pat McAfee Show’, Rodgers provided an update on his recovery and rehab process.
“The first goal was really to be able to be upright, to be out of a boot, and to be able to do some semblance of walking by the time I got back,” Rodgers said. “I had this game circled on my schedule, I mean I couldn’t fly until I got cleared again last week with no blood clots, so coming to the Sunday night games was always on the agenda and that was the goal. So definitely met that one.”
Rodgers has the reputation of being an intuitive and forward thinker, and that same mindset has applied to his rehab journey with his Achilles, as he explained how he and Dr. Neal ElAttrache are working towards a recovery that may be speedier than usual for an injury as severe as the one he sustained.
“Now the next goal is to be able to walk without crutches, it’s pretty obvious I’m well ahead of the normal protocols when it comes to rehab for this kind of thing. But that was always what my mindset was and that was what Neal and I talked about in the locker room honestly after it happened,” Rodgers explained.
On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this report.