Report reveals possible return date for Jets' Aaron Rodgers

It appears WFAN radio personality Brandon Tierney was spot on when he reported in October that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was targeting the Christmas Eve home game versus the Washington Commanders (4-9) as his return date after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on Sept. 11.

TMZ Sports reported Monday afternoon that sources shared Rodgers "is expected to be cleared medically for game action before Gang Green's Dec. 24 contest against the Commanders. 

TMZ added that "it'll be up to the coaches and team execs to decide whether" the 40-year-old plays. 

"We're told barring an unexpected setback, Rodgers will be given the all-clear before the Week 16 game against the NFC East team at MetLife Stadium in Jersey," TMZ explained. 

Rodgers' remarkable recovery has generated headlines and even sparked conspiracy theories, but the Jets nevertheless have numerous reasons to keep the future Hall of Famer a spectator through Week 18 considering he plans to play next season. 

While New York improved to 5-8 for the ongoing campaign via Sunday's dominant 30-6 home win over the Houston Texans, the ESPN Football Power Index only gave the Jets a 0.4% chance to make the playoffs at the time TMZ published its update. 

"I honestly don’t [think about Rodgers’ return], as far as this year goes," Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shortly after Sunday's win. "Having him around and being able to chop it up with him is super valuable. But like I said, I got to be in the moment, I got to be on top of my details, on top of my things, and if that does happen, I’ll be ready, because I know how I thought about things in the meantime." 

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters after Sunday's victory that he "wouldn’t hold my breath" regarding Rodgers playing at the Miami Dolphins (9-3) this coming Sunday. 

As of early Monday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Jets as 11.5-point underdogs against Miami. 

If third-year pro Zach Wilson guides New York to an upset win at Hard Rock Stadium, Saleh and company may not be able to keep Rodgers from playing against Washington as Santa prepares to make his flight to North America.