Aaron Rodgers drops back and throws a perfect spiral in Jets practice with the QB ‘expected to be medically cleared to return on Christmas Eve’ after snapping his Achilles
- Rodgers hopes to return from an Achilles tear just 104 days after surgery
- The 5-8 Jets still have a shot at the playoffs after beating the Houston Texans
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers appears to have regained full mobility on his right leg and is comfortable throwing the football in practice.
Footage shared by SNY showed the 40-year-old doing his reps on Thursday as he prepared for an unprecedented return from an Achilles tendon injury suffered on opening night.
In the video, Rodgers can be seen running, turning and putting weight on his leg. Meanwhile, his pitches seemingly show no rust despite not having played since September 11th.
Rodgers is expected to be medically cleared to return on Christmas Eve – just 104 days after suffering the injury.
Whether or not Rodgers will play the Commanders in New York's third-to-last game this season depends on Jets coach Robert Saleh.
Aaron Rodgers dropped back and threw spirals in practice on Thursday morning
Rodgers is expected to be acquitted on Christmas Eve after rupturing his Achilles tendon on September 11
The Jets signed Rodgers this offseason as a saving grace for the struggling franchise. Unfortunately, the 2011 Super Bowl MVP was injured in his first quarter in Jets colors against the Buffalo Bills.
While Rodgers and fans initially thought his season was over, Rodgers worked to be the first to return from the injury in four months.
Less than a month after undergoing surgery on September 13, Rodgers walked through the Jets locker room unassisted on October 1. Two weeks later, Rodgers threw a football, signaling the historic return for the first time.
“There's nothing normal about the way I'm attacking this rehab,” Rodgers said in September. 'It's common for a boot to last six weeks, and I was in a boot in 13 days. Again, this is just my way of thinking.”
In late October, Taylor Lewan reported that a source close to Rodgers said he would return in December, which now appears to be the case.
Without Rodgers' help, the Jets have suffered under Zach Wilson. New York currently has a 5-8 record as the third-seeded team in the AFC East.
However, the Jets' playoff hopes were given a lifeline after they defeated the Texans 30-6 on Sunday. The Jets must keep winning to secure a postseason appearance, with their next game coming against a top team in the Miami Dolphins.