Aaron Rodgers stoked social media and roused New York Jets fans with a potential timeline for his return from a torn Achilles tendon.
“It’ll be a few fortnights,” Rodgers told Pat McAfee on Tuesday in his weekly paid interview segment.
TV cameras captured Rodgers sharing with Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James on Monday that he hopes to be back “in a few weeks.”
“Obviously, that was said with a little tongue-in-cheek there,” Rodgers told McAfee. “It’d be nice to be able to be back in a couple weeks. That’s probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline.”
Rodgers, who turns 40 on Dec. 2, was transparent in previous projections that the Jets must still be in contention for the playoffs for him to take the risk of returning at less than full strength.
Rodgers is ahead of schedule using the traditional recovery scale. He is not wearing a full boot or using crutches and is walking without a noticeable limp. Before the game on Monday, he whipped passes more than 50 yards.
The unique surgical procedure calls for landmarks ahead before Rodgers can play in a game. Jets coach Robert Saleh and Rodgers both said Tuesday that the quarterback would need to practice before he plays in a game.
Saleh said the Jets (4-4) are sticking with Zach Wilson at QB despite calls for changes after a 27-6 loss to the Chargers on Monday.
“Yes, (Wilson) has a lot of things that he needs to improve on — and I know he understands that — but at the same time, this is collective,” Saleh said.
If Rodgers returns within six weeks, he likely would be back at practice before his birthday. The Jets play the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 3, then host the Houston Texans before a visit to the current AFC East leader, the Miami Dolphins, on Dec. 17. If Rodgers gets back the next week, it would be for a home game against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 24.
–Field Level Media