Jets activate QB Aaron Rodgers for practice, insist he won't play

Field Level Media|published: Wed 20th December, 12:34 2023

Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on from the sideline against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets activated quarterback Aaron Rodgers from injured reserve in a procedural move with no intention of putting him on the field for another game this season.

The Jets want Rodgers to continue practicing with the team but insist he's not an option to replace Zach Wilson (concussion) for the Christmas Eve game with the Washington Commanders.

Rodgers, 40, held out hope he'd be able to return this month from the torn Achilles he suffered in the opening week of the season, but with the Jets eliminated from playoff contention, head coach Robert Saleh put an end to that speculation on Wednesday.

"We're still going to keep him on the active. ... It's all part of his rehab," Saleh said about the four-time league Most Valuable Player. "Just having him on the football field is a plus for everybody. It's a plus for him, it's a plus for his teammates."

Rodgers said this week on the "Pat McAfee Show" that he's not physically ready to play. An Achilles tear and surgery typically brings a recovery and rehab period of between 10 and 12 months.

Saleh said the Jets had the "roster flexibility with all the different things that have happened to us the last couple of weeks" to make the move.

Rodgers returned to practice on Nov. 29, opening the 21-day window to either return to the active roster or be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

The Jets are shorthanded when it comes to quarterbacks. Wilson is in the NFL's concussion protocol. If he can't play against the Commanders (4-10), the Jets (5-9) likely will turn to veteran backup Trevor Siemian.

—Field Level Media

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