The New York Jets opened their season on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills. And things got off to a horrific start, as star quarterback Aaron Rodgers exited the game before ever completing a pass.
Rodgers and the Jets offense took the field after their defense forced the Bills to punt on their first possession.
It looked like the Jets were building some momentum after second-year running back Breece Hall broke a big run in the Jets’ first offensive play of the game.
That quickly took a turn, as Bills pass rusher Leonard Floyd got to Rodgers on a play later in the drive. As he completed the sack on Rodgers, you could see that Rodgers was in some discomfort while he was laying on the turf.
Aaron Rodgers leaves his first series with Jets due to injury before even completing a pass.
Zach Wilson is in at QB for the Jets. #MNF pic.twitter.com/vT4enDFvCg
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 12, 2023
Rodgers’ injury forced him to leave the game, and he needed the assistance of Jets trainers to walk off the field. He was quickly taken to the blue medical tent, where they eventually brought out the cart to take him back to the locker room.
Aaron Rodgers is being carted off. #MNF pic.twitter.com/4o7RaiC1s5
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 12, 2023
He was initially listed as questionable to return to the game with an ankle injury, but was later ruled out for the rest of the game.
Rodgers has been downgraded to out. His x-rays were negative. https://t.co/TjZv03DrQF
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
It’s obviously a worst-case scenario for the Jets to have Rodgers get hurt in his first game with the team. And fans are certainly hoping that it will not be a long-term injury.
Jets fans seeing Aaron Rodgers limp off the field pic.twitter.com/9UDZ2tj1Hg
— Doug Outs (@Doug_Outs) September 12, 2023
The cart is now coming for Aaron Rodgers. Unbelievable. https://t.co/X1QAX6XcmM
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 12, 2023
New York Jets fans watching Aaron Rodgers leave the game pic.twitter.com/QPqE929Rff
— Shirt-Ish (@Shirt_Ish) September 12, 2023
Robert Saleh's face after Zach Wilson was subbed in for Aaron Rodgers lol pic.twitter.com/CdEaRwUNWA
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 12, 2023
Jets fans seeing Aaron Rodgers injured pic.twitter.com/MVEYwtjfMU
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) September 12, 2023
Aaron Rodgers injury appears to be either Lisfranc foot injury, ankle sprain or possibly even Achilles. Similar mechanism to JK Dobbins injury Sunday.
Best case is ankle sprain. Will miss several weeks best case. pic.twitter.com/MQFjdPHxCX— Dr. Mark Adickes (@jocktodoc) September 12, 2023
Third-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who notably struggled heavily last season, replaced Rodgers after the injury. And considering how rough things got at times for Wilson last year, the Jets could certainly struggle to reach the high expectations many put on them if this is a multiple week injury for Rodgers.
[The Comeback on Twitter, Photo Credit: ESPN]