Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets fell to the Minnesota Vikings 23-17 in their international showdown in London on Sunday. The game was a hard-fought battle, but a key moment came in the third quarter when the 40-year-old quarterback took a hard hit, causing him to hobble around the field with what appeared to be a painful ankle injury.
Despite the setback, Rodgers was able to finish the game, showing his trademark toughness. Following the game, he downplayed the injury, describing it as a “light sprain” and mentioned hearing some unsettling noises when he initially hit the ground. However, he seemed optimistic about his condition, stating that it didn’t seem to be anything too serious.
On Monday morning, Jets head coach Robert Saleh provided an update, addressing concerns about Rodgers’ availability for their upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills.
Saleh assured reporters that the injury, while concerning at first, was just a low ankle sprain and that Rodgers should be ready to suit up for Week 6. “He’s dealing with a low ankle, but all the preliminary stuff says he should be fine,” Saleh said.
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This update comes at a crucial time for the Jets, who have now dropped two consecutive games and find themselves with a 2-3 record after five weeks of the season. Rodgers, who was brought in during the offseason to rejuvenate the team and lead them to playoff contention, has shown moments of brilliance but has also dealt with a few bumps along the way. With the team struggling to find consistency, Rodgers’ leadership and health will be pivotal as they face a tough Buffalo Bills squad next Monday night.
The Jets’ offensive line has been under scrutiny throughout the season, as Rodgers has taken multiple hits and pressure in nearly every game, further highlighting the need for better protection. The team will need to tighten things up to ensure Rodgers can stay healthy and perform at his best moving forward. Given his age and the physical toll of playing quarterback in the NFL, every knock and tweak becomes more concerning as the season progresses.
With the Jets aiming to bounce back and avoid falling deeper into a hole, all eyes will be on Rodgers and his ankle as the week unfolds. If Saleh’s confidence holds true and Rodgers can return to full health, the upcoming Monday night matchup will give the Jets an opportunity to reset their season against a divisional rival. However, the pressure is mounting, and the Jets will need to bring their best effort to avoid a third consecutive loss.
For now, Jets fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as their veteran signal-caller looks poised to play. But as with any injury, especially at Rodgers’ age, the situation will be closely monitored throughout the week.
