Aaron Rodgers couldn’t even complete a pass for the New York Jets before going down with an injury. Rodgers left the field after taking a sack from Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd on Monday night. What happened to Rodgers, and what’s his injury status?
Aaron Rodgers Injury Update
Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles against the Bills and will miss the remainder of the season, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday. An MRI confirmed the news today.
An MRI confirmed today that Aaron Rodgers officially tore his Achilles on the fourth play of his Jets’ career.
Rodgers’ season now, officially, is over. There already are questions about whether his Hall-of-Fame career is, too.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
The Jets had been waiting all summer to see Rodgers’ debut after New York acquired the future Hall of Famer from the Green Bay Packers in April.
But Rodgers was only on the field for four plays before going down with an injury. He stayed down on the field after taking a hit from Floyd and was eventually assisted to the sideline by New York’s medical staff.
Peyton and Eli react to Aaron Rodgers’ apparent injury. pic.twitter.com/sykQOyKjpk
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2023
Rodgers entered the blue medical tent to be evaluated, but the Jets soon brought a cart to transport him back to the locker room.
New York initially listed Rodgers as questionable to return, but the club ruled him out with roughly nine minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Jets also announced that Rodgers’ X-rays were negative.
After Monday’s game, Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters the club expected Rodgers’ MRI to confirm he tore his Achilles. Saleh also indicated Zach Wilson will be New York’s quarterback for the rest of the season.
“Just recalling the look on Aaron’s face before he went and took his (MRI) — pretty much knew in the first half,” Saleh said when asked when he knew the severity of Rodgers’ injury.
Rodgers was wearing what looked like a walking boot on his left foot as he was taken to the X-ray room, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. He eventually left the X-ray room with the boot still on his foot and returned to New York’s locker room.
ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin said Rodgers was “visibly despondent” as he was taken through MetLife Stadium.
This was Aaron Rodgers, spotted a short time ago, wearing a heavy black walking boot on his left ankle/foot … The #Jets QB was visibly despondent as he was carted thru the stadium…
Photo courtesy of Sal Paolantonio pic.twitter.com/RjJZWHIXWG
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA)
“Rodgers had a left calf injury in preseason,” Sean Walsh, a physical therapist and performance coach who worked for the TB12 Performance Center, tells Pro Football Network. “The worst-case scenario for Monday’s injury is an Achilles, which is not out of the question.”
“As Rodgers was tackled, his foot was forced into dorsiflexion. That — along with a weakened calf from the preseason — could lead to failure of the calf or the Achilles, resulting in a tear. There was also contact on the heel from the tackle, which could have resulted in a bruise.
“But I would be surprised to see him carted off with a bruised heel. Lisfranc could be an option, as could a fracture of the metatarsal bones in the foot. It’s hard to tell from the television angles. I would be surprised to see any type of ankle sprain, seeing as the ankle didn’t roll in either direction.”
It’s an almost unprecedented turn of events for Rodgers and the Jets, who sent their 2023 first-round pick (No. 13), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2023 sixth-round pick (No. 207), and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the plays this season in exchange to the Packers in exchange for Rodgers and a 2023 first (No. 15).
MORE: Why Aaron Rodgers’ Injury Could Save Jets a 2024 First-Round Pick
Gang Green was instantly hailed as a Super Bowl contender with Rodgers under center. Their defense was already elite in 2022, and the Jets might have made the playoffs last season if they’d have even league-average quarterback under center.
Instead, New York is turning back to Wilson, the much-maligned quarterback whose woeful performance led the Jets to acquire Rodgers this offseason.