New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers details obstacle in recovery from Achilles tear

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/25/23

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who's recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered in Week 1, recently ran into a roadblock.

"It has been a tough week of rehab with some smaller gains, and it has been a grind the last week or so," the 39-year-old said Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show." "I'm not walking without a limp yet. You've got to be careful walking with a limp. The goal isn't to stretch the Achilles. The goal is to stress the Achilles."

Typically, an Achilles tear is a season-ending injury. However, Rodgers is determined to get back on the field this season.

In September, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported he aims to return during the playoffs and underwent an innovative surgery to recover faster. It appeared the plan was working when Rodgers threw pregame in Week 6.

.@AaronRodgers12 out here throwing the football pregame.

Incredible. pic.twitter.com/IphWfh8yWR
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023

Still, Rodgers' return is unlikely. Even though medical experts recently told ESPN's Rich Cimini that he could return in four to five months, the expected recovery is six to nine months.

New York, meanwhile, must rely on its solid defense, 13th in the NFL in points allowed per game (19.8). Also, it needs backup QB Zach Wilson's slight improvement to continue. Over his past three starts, the former first-round pick threw for two TDs, one interception and completed 67.5 percent of his passes.

The New York Times simulator gives the Jets (3-3) a 24 percent chance to make the postseason. Yet a postseason push is possible since they have a manageable schedule. Per Tankathon, it is the 17th-most difficult remaining schedule in the league.

At this point, the Jets just need to stay in the playoff hunt and hope the four-time MVP overcomes the setback and makes a miraculous comeback.

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