Aaron Rodgers, NFL’s New York Jets quarterback, is throwing the ball back on field this December after an injury that typically takes up to a year of recovery.
On Tuesday, September 12th, the Jets medical team confirmed Rodger’s torn tendon through an in-depth MRI scan. His injury caused him to be sidelined since its occurence and many Jets fans were insinuating that the season was over with no chance of making the playoffs, or even winning a game, when he went down. Rodgers disagreed and openly questioned the public when speaking with a reporter. He said, “I don’t know why people are trying to put an obituary under our team name.” This devastating injury not only affected fans’ opinions of the team, but also the team itself, who had to create a back-up plan. While initially experimenting with the idea of recruiting a veteran quarterback, they ultimately gave the ball to Zach Wilson, a 3rd year unproven rookie.
In Florham Park, just around the corner from the Madison community, Rodgers was following his doctor’s treatment plan. Shockingly, it only took about two months to heal from his tendon tear and strengthen his body again. In an interview with NBC’s Melissa Stark, on Sunday, November 12th, Rodgers admitted, “I know it sounds insane, but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible” (AP News).
Rodgers still needs some time to complete his recovery; he is attending therapy appointments and training to fully heal. For example, he is currently jogging on a weight-lifting treadmill using 50% of his body weight. AP News reported that “his new goal as he prepares to play on the field in mid-December is to run on the treadmill using 75% of his body weight” (AP News).
Day by day, through therapy and the efforts of the Jet’s medical team, Aaron Rodgers continues to recover and become a better and stronger athlete. His coach, Robert Saleh, expressed that if the doctors would clear Rodgers he would be allowed to play again. The New York Jet’s season is approaching the mid-December date and we will see if Rodgers does indeed take the field again.