Sources – Aaron Rodgers likely to be medically cleared next week،
After recently being cleared to practice, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely be medically cleared to play this next week, league sources told ESPN.
But being medically cleared doesn't necessarily mean Rodgers will automatically take the field on Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders.
Rodgers and the Jets organization still need to meet to discuss whether returning next Sunday is the next step they want to take. A lot could depend on the outcome of the Jets' Week 15 game on Sunday in Miami against the Miami Dolphins and whether New York still has a chance – however infinitesimal – of making the playoffs.
Rodgers acknowledged he won't be 100 percent until the end of the season, but said he would be ready to play if the Jets were in the playoff race. The four-time MVP also said it wouldn't make “a lot of sense” to return if the Jets (5-8) were mathematically eliminated.
But the fact that Rodgers, 40, is able to be medically healed from a torn Achilles after he suffered four plays in the Jets' season opener just over three months ago is something of a medical miracle.
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Friday that Rodgers looked “normal” earlier in the day in practice and remarked that his rapid recovery was “amazing.”
If he were to play after being medically cleared — and there are important questions that both sides will still have to answer — Rodgers would return to play faster than almost any athlete in memory. Running back Cam Akers returned from a torn Achilles tendon in just over four months during the 2021 season as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
Rodgers reportedly had an impressive two days of practice last week, leaving his coaches and teammates very pleased with what they saw. But Rodgers also didn't have to evade oncoming passers, escape the pocket or do some of the things he would be forced to do in a real game.
The Jets have until Wednesday to activate Rodgers on their roster; If they don't move this roster by Wednesday, Rodgers won't be able to be activated this season. It's also possible they activate it by Wednesday but don't play it against the Commanders.
