Insider shares big injury update on Jets QB Aaron Rodgers

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Jets haven't yet closed the door on Rodgers taking meaningful snaps before this season comes to an end. 

"...I saw the video of him pregame, moving around and throwing, like everyone else did," Breer said about Rodgers for a piece published on Monday. "I can also say that the Jets people I’ve talked to are uniformly keeping the light on for him. No one’s scoffing at the possibility that he could be back before season’s end. Instead, when you ask privately, you get a chorus of, 'I don’t knows' from people who believe the window is certainly cracked." 

Rodgers has repeatedly made it known since September that he wants to return to the lineup this season assuming the Jets are at least in playoff conversations around Christmastime, but he also said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Oct. 17 that everyone should "just cool our jets a little bit" regarding his status. 

Knowledgeable individuals such as surgeons and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason have publicly advised the Jets and Rodgers to not rush the 39-year-old's recovery. Nevertheless, it's been reported and rumored that the future Hall of Famer wants to play as early as Week 15 on Dec. 17 or Week 16 on Christmas Eve. 

Breer added in his column that the Jets "don’t want to put any more pressure on Rodgers" as he makes his way back from an injury that, in many cases, could threaten the career of a veteran player who turns 40 years old in December. With that said, the 4-3 Jets are dealing with a "huge problem at quarterback" as Zach Wilson continues to produce lackluster performances. 

Wilson completed 17-of-36 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown in the win against the Giants. Per ESPN stats, he entered Monday night ranked 29th in the NFL among qualified players with a 36.8 adjusted QBR, 30th with a 74.3 passer rating and 31st with a 58.3% completion percentage on the season. He threw five touchdown passes and five interceptions over the campaign's first seven games. 

One would think the Jets acquiring a proven veteran such as Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans either before or shortly after Tuesday's trade deadline would indicate those running Gang Green believe Rodgers will remain sidelined through January. If the Jets don't make such a move, however, it could show Rodgers is closer to facing live defenses than many think in the final days of October.