Aaron Rodgers ‘targets Christmas Eve return for Jets vs Commanders’ – 104 days after snapping his Achilles and could practice THIS WEEK, even with his team’s playoff hopes nearly over

Aaron Rodgers is looking to return to the field on Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders and could be back in practice for the New York Jets this week.

The team’s hopes for a payout seem to be on a thread, but according to Ian Rapoportthe quarterback is still working to complete his extraordinary recovery from a torn Achilles tendon this month.

If the 39-year-old Rodgers can pull it off, it would mean he has recovered from an Achilles tendon injury in just 104 days after suffering the injury on September 11 against the Buffalo Bills – his Jets debut.

Some may question the wisdom of Rodgers coming back from such a major injury with his team’s hopes of making the playoffs hanging by a thread.

In the NFL’s first Black Friday team-up, the Jets were defeated 34-13 by the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium as their record dropped to 4-7.

Rodgers tore his Achilles minutes in his Jets debut on September 11 against the Buffalo Bills

Rodgers’ injury, in just the fourth stint of his Jets career, derailed the season just as it began, as backup Zach Wilson was thrust into the spotlight under the most extraordinary of circumstances.

Wilson struggled to maintain any kind of rhythm and was benched against the Bills last week, with Tim Boyle replacing him for the Dolphins game. Boyle will start the next game, against the Atlanta Falcons.

Rodgers has amazed fans around the NFL with the signs of his quick recovery. He has been to most of the Jets games since he was injured, throwing balls during warmups and falling back and shuffling, showing the state his Achilles tendon is already in during recovery.

Rodgers has been open about how much he has pushed himself during his weekly appearances on the Pat McAfee show.

“I think you have to find something beautiful in it,” he said last week.

“A lot of people have said that everything happens for a reason and that’s a calling card, but I’ve never really bought into that particular thought process.

“I believe that life is happening all the time. It doesn’t happen to me, that’s a victim mentality. All we can do is control how we respond to the experiences we experience.

The 39-year-old Rodgers has amazed fans around the NFL with how quickly his recovery appears to be

Rodgers has played just three minutes and 45 seconds since joining the Jets this year

“I tried to respond as positively as possible and manifest what I want during my rehabilitation” and to be available to my teammates, clear my head, think about my life in competition and my desire to still be competitive are in the competition. top level. That was great, but overall it was hard.”

If Rodgers is healthy enough to play this season, the Jets could still make plans for next season even if their playoff hopes are completely wiped out on Christmas Eve.

And while a comeback on Dec. 24 would be an early Christmas present, Rodgers would get an early birthday present when he returns to practice this week.

The quarterback turns 40 on Saturday, December 2.

Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in September. He dropped back on first down from the Jets’ 43-yard line and attempted to roll out to his left before being sacked by Leonard Floyd for a loss of 10 yards.

But his left foot appeared to get stuck in the Jets’ grass as he was being tackled.

The quarterback hit the ground and grimaced as he briefly climbed back to his feet before stopping and dropping back to the ground just three minutes and 45 seconds into the game.