Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will reportedly be medically cleared to play in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders. However, whether or not Rodgers actually takes the field and starts on Christmas Eve remains undetermined.
In his Jets’ debut on Monday Night Football in Week 1, Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on the fourth play of the game. It was a devastating injury for New York’s Super Bowl hopes and everyone immediately assumed Rodgers would miss the entire season.
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However, the four-time NFL MVP was determined to make history. An NFL player has never returned to play from a torn Achilles in the same season they suffered the injury. Rodgers, who turned 40 years old on Dec. 2, is on the verge of doing just that.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers is “likely” to be medically cleared following Sunday’s game. Once he’s medically cleared, the Jets’ organization can then decide whether or not the former Super Bowl MVP will start on Christmas Eve against Washington.
Once Rodgers is medically cleared, per Schefter, he and the Jets’ organization will discuss the next steps. While there’s a strong desire from both sides for the 40-year-old quarterback to return, there remains a focus on ensuring Rodgers is ready for the 2024 season.
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It’s not a foregone conclusion that he’s cleared to start. As noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, New York has a Wednesday deadline to active Rodgers off injured reserve or he’s ruled out for the remainder of the season. More importantly, per Rapoport’s sources, it’s viewed as a “serious long-shot” for Rodgers to play again this year.
Entering NFL games today, the Jets had less than a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs. If New York loses to the Miami Dolphins in Week 15 and the Buffalo Bills beat the Dallas Cowboys or the Houston Texans defeat the Tennessee Titans, the Jets are eliminated from playoff contention and Rodgers won’t return this season.