Jets HC Robert Saleh shares promising Aaron Rodgers update

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh revealed during a Friday news conference that quarterback Aaron Rodgers "pushed it a little bit" during Thursday's practice as Rodgers continues his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11. 

"He went under center and [was] running boot[legs], jogging from drill to drill and he looks normal to me," Saleh said about Rodgers, per SNY. 

Saleh added that Rodgers hasn't yet participated in 11-on-11 drills. It's unclear when the 40-year-old will reach that part of his rehab, but time is quickly running out for the Jets to make a final decision on Rodgers' playing status for the Christmas Eve home game against the Washington Commanders. 

The Jets have until this coming Wednesday to activate Rodgers or shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. Neither Saleh nor Rodgers has publicly confirmed the future Hall of Famer will face the Commanders if the 5-8 Jets beat the 9-4 Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but it's widely thought Rodgers' season will come to an end if Gang Green loses at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

As of Friday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Jets as 9.5-point underdogs against the Dolphins. At that same time, the ESPN Football Power Index gave New York a 0.3% chance to make the playoffs. 

"Credit to him, especially in this day and age where a hangnail can affect a game week, but this dude is grinding to try and get himself back," Saleh said about Rodgers. "It just shows how much he cares and so I have an appreciation for him." 

The pay cut Rodgers accepted this past summer theoretically puts him on track to remain on the Jets' roster through the start of next season, and he's given no indication he'll retire following his latest injury. Even if the Jets upset the Dolphins, Rodgers should think long and hard about what he hopes to achieve with his current employer beyond Dec. 24 before he forces his way back into the lineup for a team that seems likely to miss out on the upcoming postseason tournament.