Aaron Rodgers Suffers Left Achilles Tendon Injury in Debut Series for the Jets
Aaron Rodgers played just four snaps in his New York Jets debut.
The four-time MVP and his startled supporters must now wait and learn how long he might be out. In the team’s 22-16 overtime victory over the Bills on Monday night, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked by Leonard Floyd of Buffalo and fell awkwardly on his left leg, according to coach Robert Saleh. Rodgers, 39, will get an MRI on Tuesday, according to Saleh, after X-rays taken during the game came back negative.
Rodgers’ left foot was reportedly in a black walking boot as he was being brought to the X-ray room, according NFL Network.
On the Jets’ first play, Breece Hall ran for 26 yards before Rodgers, under intense pressure from Greg Rousseau, threw his first ball away.
Rodgers tried an incomplete pass on the next play, but Terrel Bernard was assessed a defensive holding penalty. The quarterback then made an attempt to evade Floyd, who was charging at him. Floyd got him and carried him to the grass at MetLife Stadium. Rodgers looked to grab his leg before trainers approached him.
In a short while, he got to his feet, but he needed assistance to reach New York’s sideline.
After being evaluated, Rodgers was brought to the blue medical tent and placed on a cart. He stepped off the cart halfway there and staggered inside the changing room.
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Zach Wilson Takes the Helm
At 3:45 into the game, Zach Wilson came in to replace Aaron Rodgers. Wilson went 14 of 21 for 140 yards, including a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson and an interception. The injury quieted the audience, which had been loud minutes earlier in anticipation of Rodgers’ Big York debut.
Frustrated supporters believed that Rodgers’ arrival would be the start of the Jets’ return to the Super Bowl, which they haven’t attended since Joe Namath won the team’s only championship in 1968.
On the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Rodgers ran onto the field during player introductions with an American flag and was greeted by Jets supporters for the first time. On April 26, Green Bay traded Rodgers, the No. 15 overall pick in this year’s draft, and a fifth-round pick to New York.
The Packers received the 13th overall pick, a second-round pick, a sixth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that might become a first-round pick if Aaron Rodgers participates in 65% of New York’s plays this season, a situation that now seems exceedingly improbable.
In July, Rodgers agreed to a restructured contract that will provide him $75 million in fully guaranteed pay over the course of this season and the following. Rodgers has frequently stated that he won’t be a one-and-done with the Jets.
In comparison to the contract he had with Green Bay, when he was expected to earn $110 million guaranteed, it amounts to a nearly $35 million pay drop.
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Source: ABC News