May 21, 2024, 12:12 pm Eastern Time
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers is officially putting his torn Achilles tendon behind him.
The New York Jets quarterback has no limitations as he practices with the team during organized team activities, which began Monday.
“He’s doing everything,” coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.
Rodgers, 40, tore his left Achilles tendon on the fourth snap of his Jets debut in the season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 11. He pushed through his rehab with the intention of returning at the end of last season, but decided to abandon those plans when New York fell out of playoff contention and still wasn’t 100 percent healthy.
Aaron Rodgers has no limitations while practicing with the Jets during organized team activities. Sarah Stier//Keynote USA/Getty Images
Instead, Rodgers focused on being fully ready for this season, and he appears to be well on his way to achieving that.
He looked alert and moved well Tuesday during non-contact team drills. Rodgers had an outstanding throw down the middle of the field to Xavier Gipson, who was heavily covered, that would have been a touchdown. He also connected a couple of times with leading receiver Garrett Wilson, including one that weaved through traffic for a brief score.
“He has no restrictions and he looks good,” Saleh said. “The arm talent is obviously still there. He’s really reacclimating to everything. We’re also trying a lot of new things. We’re just trying to evolve within the offense.”
Saleh said this month during offseason workouts that the Jets expected Rodgers to be unrestricted once OTAs began.
On Tuesday, Saleh said whether Rodgers is 100 percent healthy is a better question for the quarterback to answer, but added: “As far as we’re concerned, his track and what he’s capable of doing, there are no limitations.” to what we can do. asking him to do it in practice.
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Rodgers’ return has reignited optimism around the Jets, who were considered playoff contenders a year ago, with rumors of a Super Bowl appearance suggested by the quarterback and his teammates.
New York, which has the longest active playoff drought in the NFL at 13 seasons, is once again mentioned among the teams considered contenders. The league’s schedule makers also think highly of the team, assigning the Jets six prime-time games in the first 11 weeks.
Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, said last week, “I feel like the Jets owe us one” after the team had five games scheduled in prime time and Rodgers was injured in Week 1.
“It’s New York, there will always be excitement,” Saleh said. “It’s great that they see us from that perspective. But at the same time, none of that matters unless we focus on the process, on the day-to-day and try to do the best we can.”
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