Aaron Rodgers Returns to Practice: What That Means For Jets, His Comeback

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has moved one step closer to making an improbable return to the field.

On Wednesday, Jets coach Robert Saleh said Rodgers has been medically cleared to return to practice in a limited capacity—just 11 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. This opens the four-time MVP's 21-day practice window. The Jets have until the end of that time frame to activate Rodgers from injured reserve status.

Saleh was clear during his press conference that Rodgers, who turns 40 on Saturday, is cleared only for "functional football activities." That means he is not yet cleared for contact. The 10-time Pro Bowler will likely be limited to light drills in practice.

"This isn't so much getting ready to play as much as it is a progression in his rehab," Saleh said.

"For Aaron, what he'll be doing in practice is no different than what he'd be doing on [a side field] with regard to certain drill and individual," he continued. "Instead of throwing with staff members, he'll be throwing to teammates. There's no added risk to it. There are certain things that he's been cleared for that we'll allow him to do."

The Jets coach declined to offer any information about whether the team plans to activate Rodgers by the end of the 21-day period.

Either way, this is an encouraging development in Rodgers' quest for a quick, unprecedented recovery from his injury. The former Super Bowl MVP tore his left Achilles tendon just four offensive snaps into his Jets debut. Rodgers underwent surgery only days after the September 11 season opener and has been open about his recovery in the nearly three months since.

"This entire time I've said what I'd like to do rehab-wise," Rodgers said about returning to practice, according to the team's website.

He went on: "Neal, my doctor Neal ElAttrache, did kind of a newer, innovative surgery. I asked him if we could push it, if we could push it beyond the normal protocols. I've just wanted to do things quicker, smart but quicker. It's just about being smart with the rehab and pushing it as much as I can and then backing off on the days that it doesn't feel good."

New York Jets Playoff Chances

During a Tuesday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers reiterated that his decision to return will be based on his health and the team's playoff positioning.

The Jets (4-7) have lost four games in a row and are second-to-last in the AFC standings. Over the next three weeks, while Rodgers' window is still open, New York faces the Atlanta Falcons (5-6), Houston Texans (6-5) and Miami Dolphins (8-3).

Rodgers said Tuesday he would like for the team to be "alive" in the playoff race in order to come back. That's a long shot right now. The Jets have less than a 1 percent chance of reaching the postseason, according to ESPN and New York Times analytics.

New York's performance over the next few weeks will help determine the next steps in the team's comeback. Saleh has previously said that Rodgers will play if he wants to and is medically cleared.

And the Jets could sure use him. Gang Green is 30th in the NFL in points per game and 31st in offensive yards this season. Rodgers' replacement under center, Zach Wilson, was just benched in favor of journeyman Tim Boyle. But that didn't help much. The Jets are coming off a 34-13 Black Friday loss to the Dolphins in which Boyle threw for 179 yards, a touchdown and two picks, while also taking seven sacks.

"I think we shot ourselves in the foot too many times," said Boyle, who will start again this week.

The Jets traded for Rodgers, who spent the first 18 seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, this offseason. And the future Hall-of-Fame QB was supposed to be the missing piece to a potential Super Bowl team. Things certainly haven't gone as planned. But Rodgers has said for weeks he planned to shock the world with his recovery.

No NFL player has returned from Achilles surgery faster than five months. Rodgers may change that. But the Jets aren't getting ahead of themselves.

"A lot of guys coming off [injured reserve], they're not ready to play football," Saleh said. "There's still a little bit of health concern there, so you use these 21-day windows to see where they're at. We're still far away from that. Like I said, the mindset from this is more about the progression in his rehab."