Nov 6, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) told Sunday Night Football’s Melissa Stark that he’s eyeing a mid-December return.
It’s the first time Rodgers has teased a return from a torn Achilles injury suffered in Week 1.
Last week, he met Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James at midfield and suggested that he needed a few more weeks. However, he told “The Pat McAfee Show” that was a “joke.”
“I mean, obviously, that was said with a little tongue in cheek there. It’d be nice to be back in a couple weeks, but that’s probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline,” Rodgers said. “It could be a few, it could be a lot. It’s more of a phrase that didn’t have a specific timetable. I said it smiling, joking… obviously it’s gonna be more than a couple weeks.”
If he returns in December, Rodgers would miss roughly just four months post-surgery, which is well-ahead of the 10-12 month recovery.
Rodgers’ miracle return could be put on hold if the Jets are already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, however.
New York lost 16-12 to the Raiders on Sunday falling to 4-5 on the season and 13th in the AFC.
