JETS QB AARON RODGERS FEARED TO HAVE SUFFERED A TORN ACHILLES ON MONDAY NIGHT WIN AGAINST THE BILLS
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is feared to have torn his Achilles during the Monday night showdown against the Buffalo Bills, Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed after the game.
The 39-year-old played just four snaps during the game before he went down on a sack by Bills’ defensive end Leonard Floyd. Rodgers exited the game in the first quarter and did not return.
A close up replay showed Rodgers’ calf reverberate during the play and the Jets’ initial diagnosis was a torn Achilles. Rodgers limped to the sideline after the sack before going into the blue tent. He was then carted off into the x-ray room a few moments later.
“[We’re] concerned with his Achilles. The MRI is probably going to confirm what we think is already going to happen so prayers tonight, but it’s not good,” said head coach Robert Saleh after the game.
While there’s still the formality of the MRI, players diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon on the field almost unfailingly have the injury confirmed the following day. A confirmed ruptured Achilles diagnosis will end Rodgers’ season and in effect greatly diminish the Jets’ Super Bowl hopes this season. The Jets have already lost starting safety Chuck Clark for the year and would lose a huge piece within the team’s plans this season.
“Personally I don’t hurt for me,” Saleh added. “I don’t hurt for our locker room, I hurt for Aaron [Rodgers] and how much he’s invested in all of this. I’m still going to say a prayer, I’m still going to hold out hope but my heart’s with Aaron right now and nowhere else.”
The New York Jets’ offensive line was the most glaring hole on the Jets roster heading into the season with many wondering if the line would be able to protect Rodgers and give the future Hall of Famer a chance at bringing the Super Bowl to New York. Rodgers dropped back to pass in three of the four snaps he played on Monday night and found pressure in his face on all three plays.
Rodgers’ first and only official passing attempt was incomplete and his second drop back resulted in a first down due to defensive holding. The four-time MVP’s third drop back ended in the sack by Floyd and the aforementioned injury.
With Rodgers ruled out, 2021 second overall pick Zach Wilson came into the game and steadied the ship for a tough win at home. Wilson will now take charge of the team as he did over the past two years, Saleh confirmed. The 24-year-old put up 140 passing yards, 1 touchdown and an interception as the Jets began their 2023 season with a big win against the defending division champions.
Saleh said regarding Wilson’s performance: “I thought he was awesome. He had a couple of big third-down throws, clutch throws to extend drives and score points. I thought his command of the huddle, line of scrimmage, I thought he was gritty, he created off schedule, scrambled for a big one.”
“He threw the interception and still bounced back. It didn’t snowball into anything big. We still have a lot of faith in him. I think we’ve proven that by keeping him here and continuing to invest in him. [I’m] excited for him and his opportunity… He’ll be the guy.”
On a big night for New York and on primetime television, the New York Jets went on to secure a hard-fought and memorable overtime victory against the Bills with all three phases of the team stepping up in moments and making plays. Undrafted rookie free agent, Xavier Gipson, secured the win with a punt return touchdown in overtime, as the Jets rallied to get their first Week 1 win in five years. The first such victory since rookie Sam Darnold beat the Detroit Lions 48-17 at Ford Field back in 2018.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Marine Corps New York.This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.