FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Aaron Rodgers is officially putting his torn Achilles tendon behind him.
The New York Jets quarterback had no restrictions as he practiced with the team during organized team activities, which began Monday.
“He does everything,” coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon during the fourth rupture of his debut with the Jets in the season opener against Buffalo last September 11. He continued his rehabilitation with the intention of returning late last season, but decided to abandon those plans when New York fell out of playoff contention and he was still not 100% healthy.
Rodgers instead focused on being fully ready for this season – and he appears to be well on his way to doing that.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
He looked sharp and moved well during non-contact team drills on Tuesday. Rodgers had a highlight reel throw down the middle of the field to Xavier Gipson, who was heavily covered, which would have been a touchdown. He also connected with leading receiver Garrett Wilson a few times, including one that raced through traffic for a short score.
“He has no limitations and he looks good,” Saleh said. “Obviously the arm talent is still there. It’s really just getting used to everything again. We’re trying a lot of new things as well. It’s just trying to evolve within the offense.”
Saleh said during offseason workouts earlier this month that the Jets expected Rodgers to be unrestricted once OTAs started.
On Tuesday, Saleh said the question of whether Rodgers is 100% healthy is a better question for the quarterback to answer, but added: “As far as we’re concerned, his track and what he can do, there’s no limitations to what we can do. ” ask him to do during training.”
Rodgers’ return has stoked optimism around the Jets, who were considered a playoff contender a year ago — with rumors of a Super Bowl appearance suggested by the quarterback and his teammates.
New York, which has the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons, is once again listed as one of the teams considered a contender. The league’s schedule makers also have high regard for the team, with the Jets playing six nights of prime-time in the first eleven weeks.. They will play too an early morning national game in London against Minnesota in Week 5.
Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast scheduling, said last week, “I feel like the Jets owe us something” after the team scheduled five primetime games and the first Black Friday game of the league and Rodgers was injured in week 1.
“It’s New York, there’s always going to be excitement,” Saleh said. “It’s great that we’re being looked at in that light. But at the same time, none of it matters unless we focus on the process, go day by day and try to do the best we can.”
