FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Aaron Rodgers' first game back from surgery might not be until Sept. 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, when the New York Jets open the season on “Monday Night Football.”
The star quarterback, who tore his left Achilles tendon on Sept. 11, is unlikely to play in the preseason, coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.
Saleh said it hasn't been discussed internally, but his “gut” tells him to keep Rodgers off the field for the three games. But he added: “… I want to leave it open. That third game (Aug. 24 against the New York Giants) is the one we're going to decide. He's definitely not going to play the first two.”
Ultimately, it will likely be Rodgers who makes the decision.
After weeks of speculation last summer, Rodgers ended up playing two series against the Giants in the finale, his first preseason action since 2018. He decided there was value in playing, considering he was new to the team and it was a new offensive system.
Circumstances are different this time around. This is the Jets' second year in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's system, so there's a greater comfort level. The biggest factor, though, is Rodgers' health. The Jets, perhaps haunted by last year's Achilles debacle, don't want to take any unnecessary risks with their franchise quarterback.
Rodgers, who is in perfect health, has played every snap with the first team in the first six practices of training camp. Between regular practices and upcoming joint sessions with the Washington Commanders (Aug. 8) and Giants (Aug. 21), the feeling is that he will have plenty of opportunities to prepare for the regular season.
The four-time MVP has shown no ill effects from his Achilles injury, though the past two practices (the first two with padding) have been spotty. Rodgers was visibly frustrated during a sloppy practice Monday, and things didn't improve much Tuesday.
Unofficially, Rodgers completed just 10 of 21 passes in team drills, including four fumbles under pressure, a dropped pass and a miscommunication with wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Afterward, Rodgers and Wilson got into an intense argument on the sideline for the second time in four days. Center Joe Tippmann also had another shaky day with his shotgun snaps.
“Inconsistent,” Hackett said before practice, speaking of the offense in general. “I think there's been some good things, some bad things, some things we've got to figure out.”
“[It’s] “Just everything, guys working together,” he added. “Some guys who are completely new [are] getting used to some of Aaron's cadences, [Tyrod Taylor’s] Cadences. There are a lot of new players here, so they are still working on getting used to this.”
One benefit of playing in the preseason would be building chemistry with the offensive line. All five starters have yet to practice together, as right tackle Morgan Moses is still recovering from offseason pectoral surgery. He is expected back in a couple of days.
A year ago, Rodgers didn't get any work, either in practice or in games, with his starting lineup. In the season opener, left tackle Duane Brown, in his first game, gave up the sack that ended Rodgers' season.
