New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers has been aggressive in his recovery process from his torn Achilles in Week 1. That created some optimism that he could even return this season. However, Rodgers detailed on Tuesday that he hit a roadblock this past week in his recovery, which obviously frustrated him.
Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, where he described his past week of recovery as a “grind”.
“It’s been a tough week of rehab,” said Rodgers. “Kind of smaller gains. I didn’t have the jumps that I did early on. It’s been more of a grind the last week or so. But there are a lot of good things we’re trending towards. It’s just a matter of trying to get down to 100 percent walking.”
"It's been a tough week of rehab with some smaller gains and it's been more of a grind the last week or so..
I'm excited to be back with the team on Sunday because I miss the guys"@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/iPLGjd8q0w
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 24, 2023
He then went into further detail about where he is at in his recovery process, detailing that he still can not walk without a limp, which he said is frustrating.
“I don’t quite have the strength in my calf to walk without a limp yet,” Rodgers added. “Again, based on normal timetables, I have to have some perspective. However, I’m competitive and I want to walk without a limp, so there’s obviously some frustration there.”
"I'm not walking without a limp yet..
I was joking that when I was flying back for the game on the 15th I assumed that I had left my crutches in the car..
By the time I got to the airport there were no crutches in the car & I have been walking since" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/qZry8dAak6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 24, 2023
Considering Rodgers’ goal is to get back on the field, this isn’t the best update. Fans took notice of this announcement from Rodgers, offering their opinion on the matter on social media.
We better get used to the idea of Zach playing the rest of the year!!
— Philip (@Bl1ndbandit_TTV) October 24, 2023
I thought he was supposed to be back with us after the bye?
— Philly Jets Fan (@JetsFaninPhilly) October 24, 2023
For any @nyjets fans thinking Aaron Rodgers is returning to rescue the team, that's quite far-fetched.
— JLR (@Jrock184) October 24, 2023
It’s. Not. Happening. Stop.
— Bryan Lurie (@bryanlurie) October 24, 2023
This is shocking that Rodgers didn’t defy all of medical history
— did you catch the game last night? (@SethDaSportsMan) October 24, 2023
As Rodgers stated, it’s important to add some context to this update. It hasn’t been all that long since Rodgers sustained the injury. And even though Rodgers is attacking the recovery process as quickly as possible, it’s simply unrealistic to expect him to be fully walking without a limp at this point.
It seems like the ambitious goals of Rodgers may have put some unrealistic expectations on him. And it may be quite some time until we see him on the field again, whether that comes this season or next.
