Don’t tell Aaron Rodgers the season is over. Rodgers is already making plans for his comeback to the field. He believes that can happen sooner rather than later after rupturing his Achilles just four snaps into his Jets debut against the Buffalo Bills.
Rodgers was ruled out for the rest of the year by all prognostications. The quarterback, 39, underwent surgery in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, carried out a ground-breaking operation to “accelerate the normal rehabilitation process from such an injury.”
The doctor placed an internal brace called an Achilles “speed bridge” on Rodgers’ torn Achilles. The procedure is said to safeguard the repair and allow for an earlier return. The rehabilitation process could wrap up around mid-January.
If that were the case, Rodgers might come back just in time for the playoffs. However, even getting there is easier said than done. There’s no doubt that Rodgers believes he can come back just as strong from the injury.
“I definitely have some odds stacked against me based on age, but I like it. Stack all the odds up against me and see what happens. My entire focus and dedication is about acquiring the most information and adding to what I’ve already put together as a pretty damn good rehab plan that’s going to, I think, shock some people.”
Aaron Rodgers
However, as Rodgers said, there are no assurances about the treatment or the rehabilitation, particularly given his age. Rodgers may also get platelet-rich plasma injections, a therapy that other NFL players have undergone. Russell Wilson had the same treatment last season.
The Jets are committed to starting Zach Wilson as quarterback for the foreseeable future. It will be up to the team to come together and make the postseason to even make it a possibility that Rodgers can return.
