The eagerly-anticipated rematch between the Cowboys and Aaron Rodgers is off.
The 39-year-old quarterback suffered a fully torn Achilles tendon just four plays into his first game with the Jets on Monday night. The severity of the injury was confirmed Tuesday morning; Rodgers will miss the rest of the 2023 season.
Zach Wilson, the second-overall pick in the 2021 draft, came on in relief of Rodgers and led the Jets to a stunning overtime victory versus Buffalo, winners of the last three AFC East crowns. Now it will be the 24-year-old Wilson under center when the Jets come to AT&T Stadium in the Cowboys’ home opener.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy had been looking forward to facing his former quarterback again.
“I’m excited about it. Personally, I’m excited for Aaron, for this chapter in Aaron’s life. And he knows that,” McCarthy had told reporters on Monday, just hours before Rodgers suffered his injury.
The two spent 13 years together in Green Bay before McCarthy was fired during the 2018 season. Their first rematch against one another came in Week 10 last year, when the Cowboys fell in an overtime loss at Lambeau Field. Rodgers was 14-of-20 passing, compiling 224 yards and three touchdowns that day.
The Jets acquired Rodgers this offseason and retooled most of their offense around him. After his departure on New York’s opening series Monday night, Wilson finished the evening 14-of-21 for 140 yards and a touchdown, a spectacular juggling grab in the end zone by wide receiver Garrett Wilson, 2022’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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Despite Wilson’s showing, the Jets may lean more now on their rushing attack when they come to Dallas on Sunday. That effort was led in Week 1 by Breece Hall, who averaged 12.7 yards per carry on 10 carries. Dalvin Cook, a longtime NFC rival from his years with Minnesota, is also in Gang Green’s backfield this year.
The Cowboys defense was ferocious in their season opener, recording the largest shutout win in franchise history, notching three takeaways, and sacking Giants passers seven times while allowing just 1.7 yards per pass play.
Now instead of being tested by one of the greatest to ever do it, the Dallas defense will have in their sights a presumed backup thrust back into a starting role on a short week of prep.
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