New York Jets team doctors have cleared Aaron Rodgers to start Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
The quarterback was a full participant Saturday after being limited Thursday and Friday with a sprained ankle. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said earlier this week that Rodgers was also dealing with a hamstring issue.
But the 40-year-old Rodgers can play well after having his worst game with the Jets when he threw three interceptions in a loss to Minnesota in London last Sunday. The four-time NFL MVP’s leg was twisted awkwardly on one play, but he was able to stay in the game.
“He looked really good,” said Ulbrich, who is in his first week as interim head coach following the firing of Robert Saleh on Tuesday.
“He’s a magician in terms of the work he puts into his body and everything (regeneration) and everything else. He looks like Aaron, which is great, as we all know.”
New York Jets team doctors have cleared Aaron Rodgers to take off Monday evening
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8), right, reacts as he is tackled during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings
Ulbrich replaced the fired Robert Saleh on Tuesday and demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as play caller. Todd Downing, the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will run the Bills’ struggling offense.
The defense will be without nickel cornerback Michael Carter II, who injured his back during pre-game warmups last week and left the game early. Carter did not train all week and was ruled out on Saturday.
Linebacker CJ Mosley could return after missing the last three games with a toe injury. He is listed as doubtful after being limited in practice all week.
“We’ve been steadily progressing him in terms of the reps he’s doing in training,” Ulbrich said. “He felt the best he’s ever felt this week, so we’re hopeful.”
Ulbrich also said defensive tackle Leki Fotu was “trending” to play after spending the first five games on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. His practice window opened last week, but the Jets didn’t activate him because they felt he needed a little more time.
Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is entering his first week as interim head coach
Owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh (photo) in stunning fashion on Tuesday.
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood injured a hand during practice, but fully participated and was not included on the final injury report.
Owner Woody Johnson fired Saleh in stunning fashion on Tuesday, disappointed in the direction his team seemed to be heading. With the 40-year-old Rodgers at quarterback, Johnson knows the Jets have little time to try to win with him, so he made a change and installed Ulbrich as interim coach for the rest of the season.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind, a little tornado,” Ulbrich said before starting his first practice Thursday. “But it’s exciting at the same time.”
Rodgers and the offense will have a different voice after Ulbrich demoted Nathaniel Hackett and promoted passing game coordinator Todd Downing, also the Jets’ quarterbacks coach, to the top play-caller.
‘We will continue with the bills. It’s time,” said Ulbrich, who will continue to lead the Jets’ defense. “It’s time we get this thing going. Start playing the football we know we can play. So our focus now is entirely on the Buffalo Bills.”