The Jets Open Rodgers' Practice Window, Could he Return Against the Browns?
79 days ago Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles on just the fourth play of his Jets career. For fans around the NFL, it was tough to watch because there was so much excitement around this Jets team and Rodgers potentially leading them back to prominence.
Since suffering the injury, Rodgers has continually hinted that he was going to try and return to the playing field before the end of the season – an unheard of feat for someone with an Achillies tear.
No one believed it to be true, but on Wednesday, the New York Jets opened up his 21-day practice window to return off the IR. He did make an appearance at practice on Wednesday without pads but was seen in his jersey throwing the football.
East Rutherford, NJ November 24, 2023 -- Aaron Rodgers on the Jets sideline in the first half as the Miami Dolphins defeated the NY Jets 34-13 at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ to play in the first Black Friday NFL game.
© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
For context, the normal timeline to return from an Achilles tear is six to nine months. We saw that when Kirk Cousins tore his a number of weeks ago he was in a hard cast and using crutches and scooters to get around. We didn't see any of that with Rodgers. The surgery that he reportedly elected to go with is different and his recovery time is vastly accelerated.
So what does this mean for the Browns?
Just because the Jets opened his 21-day window does not mean that it is a done deal that he will return. He has to practice within this window to avoid being placed on IR for the remainder of the season. So if he does return to practice and he is truly going to try and play this year, that makes the December 28th game in Cleveland all that more important.
Injuries have plagued the Browns this year and have really hamstrung their season. What would be a season filled with so much promise has been a bumpy road and now even making the playoffs is in jeopardy.
Cleveland's magic number to have the best shot at making the playoffs is 10 wins. Once Rodgers went down in Week 1, that Jets game on Thursday Night Football was penciled in as a win. Now if Rodgers is back, that changes everything. What once felt like a sure win now might not be the case.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Cleveland Browns during their football game on Saturday December 25, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Apc Green Bay Packers Vs Browns 22169 122521wag
In his career, Rodgers is 3-0 against Cleveland and his stats are almost perfect. He completes 71-percent of his passes, averages 236 yards to go along with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. He is pretty good when he faces Cleveland and is someone the Browns don't want to see on that Thursday night.
Again, there is no guarantee that he will be back on the playing field, but there is now a chance. If he does return to action, the Browns will have their hands full when the Jets visit town just a few days after Christmas.
