Aaron Rodgers Returns to Practice Field 11 Weeks After Achilles Surgery, Eyeing Dec. 24 Comeback

Aaron Rodgers warms up prior to his first game on the New York Jets on Sept. 11, 2023.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said of the quarterback’s swift recovery: “He always wants to prove people wrong in terms of doubting him.”

Aaron Rodgers is gearing up for a return to the field.

The New York Jets quarterback, who tore his Achilles tendon in the season opener in September, made his first appearance on the practice field with his teammates on Wednesday,

In a press conference, Jets head coach Robert Saleh addressed Rodgers’ return to practice — after news broke that his 21-day practice window had started. The window expires on Dec. 20, giving the team a three-week period to decide whether or not to remove Rodgers, 39, from injured reserve. Should he be removed, he could potentially be on the field for the Jets’ Dec. 24 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

Rodgers’ return to the practice field comes at a remarkable 11 weeks after his injury — and subsequent surgery to repair his torn Achilles — which was originally thought to be season-ending. However, Saleh made it clear that he’s not going to let the quarterback push himself too far.

“This isn’t so much getting ready to play as much as it is a progression in his rehab,” the team’s head coach told reporters.

“For Aaron, what he will be doing in practice is no different than what he’d be doing on Field 3 … with regards to certain drills and … being able to – instead of throwing with staff members, he’s throwing with teammates,” Saleh continued. “There’s no added risk to it. There’s certain things that he’s been cleared for that we’re gonna allow him to do.”

Speaking to Rodgers’ impressive dedication to recover and get a Jets jersey back on, Saleh said, “He’s old school in the sense that he’s driven.”

“He loves this organization, he loves his teammates, he wants to be here,” he noted. “He’s sacrificed so much already for the organization and himself and his teammates and he’s doing it again. I think it’s a testament to who he is as a human.”

The head coach added, “He always wants to prove people wrong in terms of doubting him.”

Aaron Rodgers watches the New York Jets play the L.A. Chargers from the sidelines on Nov. 6, 2023.

Rodgers’ teammates were excited to see him at the practice field on Wednesday, too. The Jets Twitter account shared a sweet video where offensive tackle Mekhi Becton gave the quarterback an enthusiastic two-handed wave as he walked onto the field. “@BigTicket73 when he saw @AaronRodgers12 😂💚,” the post captioned the video.

.@BigTicket73 when he saw @AaronRodgers12 😂💚 pic.twitter.com/wMy6DaBWAN

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 29, 2023

Prior to his return to practice, Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and discussed the potential of him playing again this season, which he admitted depended both on his recovery and also on the team’s performance.

He said that he was eager to get “back on the field” and do “some more real football things,” like “throw to my teammates” and see what his “lateral movement is like.”

“And after going through some of these more football-related moves, ‘How do I respond? How does my leg respond to that?’ ”

Earlier this month, Rodgers told PEOPLE that he’s felt “a lot of sadness” since tearing his Achilles nearly three months ago.

“It’s been a grind. Frustration, sadness,” he said.

Aaron Rodgers attends an event with Zenith in NYC on Oct. 30, 2023.

He also shared that he was appreciative of the support from people around the world who rallied behind him in the midst of his injury. “I’ve heard from people all over the country, all over the world, who tore their Achilles, sending support because I think we’re like a tight-knit family.”

Rodgers was clear then that he’ll do all he can to get back on the field. “The New York fans were really welcoming when I got here. Obviously, I can’t be out there playing for them right now, but I plan on getting back at some point.”

Source: people.com