On Monday morning, a TMZ report stated that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to be cleared in time for New York’s Christmas Eve game against the Washington Commanders.
Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in the Jets’ season opener against the Bills. The 39-year-old Rodgers was presumably lost for the season as the recovery from Achilles’ surgery is often lengthy, with players missing a full year before returning to action.
However, Rodgers has surprised everyone by saying he will return this season.
As for the TMZ report, Jets head coach Robert Saleh was having none of it on Monday.
“I don’t have any knowledge on that one,” Saleh said. “If that’s something that he’s had with his personal doctor out in LA, I’m not privy to that yet.”
Robert Saleh was asked about a report that Aaron Rodgers would be medically cleared for Christmas Eve:
"I don't have any knowledge on that one." pic.twitter.com/dg3J01XjGV
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 11, 2023
The odds are still against a Rodgers’ return, but we should know more soon. As for Saleh, of course, he’s going to deny Rodgers is returning in Week 16. That’s 12 days away.
The Commanders would represent the ideal opponent for Rodgers’ potential return. Washington is last in scoring defense and in the bottom five of every major statistical category.
The Jets benched Zach Wilson for the third time in two seasons recently. However, Wilson returned for New York’s Week 14 blowout win over Houston and had the best game of his career.