Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Tears Left Achilles Tendon, Potentially Ruling Him Out for the Season

Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets' quarterback, is likely to miss the rest of the season due to a torn left Achilles tendon. The injury typically requires several months of recovery.

Aaron Rodgers, the 39-year-old quarterback for the New York Jets, has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, according to a source familiar with the diagnosis. This injury is likely to keep Rodgers out for the remainder of the season. An MRI conducted on Tuesday confirmed the injury, although the team has yet to make an official announcement. Coach Robert Saleh is expected to provide more information during a video call with reporters later today.

The news of Rodgers' torn Achilles tendon was first reported by the NFL Network, confirming the fears of the Jets. Recovery from a torn Achilles tendon typically takes several months due to the extensive rehabilitation required. Saleh expressed his concern for Rodgers' injury following the Jets' overtime win against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. He acknowledged that the MRI results would likely confirm their suspicions and asked for prayers for Rodgers.

The injury occurred on Rodgers' fourth regular-season snap as a member of the Jets. He was attempting to evade Leonard Floyd, who tackled him and brought him down to the turf at MetLife Stadium. After a brief moment, Rodgers got up, looked towards the Jets' sideline, and then sat back down on the field, seemingly aware of the severity of his injury.

Trainers had to assist Rodgers as he made his way to the sideline, where he was taken to the medical tent for examination. He was then transported to the locker room on a cart, but he hopped off near the tunnel and limped inside.

Zach Wilson, the Jets' third-year quarterback, replaced Rodgers in the game and completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, including a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson and an interception. Wilson will now be the starting quarterback for the Jets in their upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys and for the foreseeable future.

Wilson expressed his gratitude for the work Rodgers did with him during the offseason and training camp, stating that it helped him feel more prepared for the next stage of his development. He acknowledged that the hardest part now is translating that preparation into game situations and that he needs to efficiently handle the responsibilities of leading the offense.

Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Jets in April, brought high expectations to the franchise. He was seen as the most accomplished quarterback the Jets had since Brett Favre, who was acquired in 2008. Rodgers signed a restructured contract in July that guarantees him $75 million over this season and the next.

However, with this injury, Rodgers will now have to focus on a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation process, which may cast uncertainty on his playing future. This situation brings back memories of 1999 when Vinny Testaverde, coincidentally the Jets' honorary captain on Monday night, ruptured his Achilles tendon in the season opener. The Jets had high hopes that year but ended up finishing with an 8-8 record and missing the playoffs.

Due to Rodgers' likely season-ending injury, the Jets will not have to give up a first-round draft pick to the Packers next year as part of the trade agreement. The compensation will remain a second-round pick, which could have become a first-rounder if Rodgers had played 65% of the Jets' plays this season. In return for Rodgers, the Packers received the 13th overall pick, a second-rounder, and a sixth-rounder in this year's draft, along with the Jets' No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder.

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