FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — If quarterback Aaron Rodgers desires to play once more this season, he’ll play once more. The New York Jets will not stand in his manner if he receives medical clearance, based on coach Robert Saleh.
“Aaron’s a giant boy, a grown man, and nobody’s going to know Aaron’s physique like Aaron is aware of his physique,” Saleh mentioned Wednesday. “And if he feels after all of the medical doctors clear him — I am positive there’s one million of them, I do not know — but when Aaron says he desires to play, he will play.”
Saleh’s remark got here someday after Rodgers, making an attempt to drag off an unprecedented return from a ruptured Achilles, reiterated his need to play. He is focusing on mid-December, which might be about three months faraway from surgical procedure.
“We have got to be within the combine, and I’ve received to be wholesome, and I positively nonetheless need to come again,” Rodgers mentioned Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Present.”
Rodgers’ need to play, which he said instantly after his Sept. 13 surgical procedure, was as soon as regarded as far-fetched. However it quickly might be a actuality for the Jets (4-5) if they will stay in playoff competition. They’ve misplaced two in a row and face the Buffalo Payments (5-5) and Miami Dolphins (6-3) in a span of six days.
It is a risk-reward determination, based mostly on the character of the harm, Rodgers’ age (he turns 40 on Dec. 2) and the group’s place within the standings. Saleh acknowledged these elements, however mentioned the ultimate name belongs to the four-time NFL MVP. No NFL participant has returned to play in lower than 5 months from Achilles surgical procedure. Former Los Angeles Rams working again Cam Akers got here again in 5½ months in 2021.
Saleh mentioned the prospect of Rodgers’ return would not add any stress to win.
“The stress to maintain the season afloat is simply to maintain it afloat,” he mentioned. “The stress to go to the playoffs is at all times stress. It is not for anybody particular person. It is not for any risk. It is for opponents who need to win soccer video games, and I feel Aaron’s simply the icing.”
Rodgers, who was injured on the fourth play of the season, selected Los Angeles-based Dr. Neal ElAttrache to carry out his surgical procedure. Presumably, his private medical group and the Jets’ medical workers must agree on clearing him to play. Rodgers has been rehabbing at a Los Angeles-based facility, flying to the Jets’ video games on the weekend. He is planning to rejoin the group on a full-time foundation subsequent week, he mentioned.
“I’d think about he will need to acclimate to the conferences and reconnect himself,” Saleh mentioned. “There’s been a number of modifications to the system since he is been out, and simply making an attempt to determine issues out with the blokes that now we have.
“I’ve an admiration for him. We’re very younger on the offensive facet of the ball and his veteran presence is at all times welcome. [He’ll be able to] simply get himself again within the constructing, get reacclimated round his teammates, re-involved in conferences. Then every time his clock begins, it begins — if he is in a position.”
If Rodgers is cleared to follow, he’ll have a 21-day window for roster activation. If he isn’t activated by then, he’ll spend the remainder of the season on injured reserve.
With out Rodgers, the Jets have struggled mightily on offense with Zach Wilson at quarterback, scoring a league-low eight touchdowns. On the lookout for a spark, they plan to activate rookie working again Israel Abanikanda for the primary time. He’ll exchange veteran Michael Carter, who was waived Tuesday in a shocking transfer.
“He is a superb younger again and we felt prefer it would not be honest for Michael to only sit there and decay on the bench and ask him to be an incredible teammate and all that stuff,” Saleh mentioned, explaining why they lower Carter as an alternative of merely making him a wholesome scratch.
“Selfishly, you need to maintain him on the roster, simply in case, however on the identical time, they’re people, too, they usually need show that they are able to doing issues within the league,” Saleh added. “Generally that is what it’s.”
