One report indicates Aaron Rodgers is expected to be cleared ahead of the New York Jets’ Week 16 matchup
The wait for the return of New York Jets’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers may soon be over.
According to a report from TMZ Sports, the future Hall-of-Famer is expected to be medically cleared ahead of the team’s matchup against the Washington Commanders on December 24.
Aaron Rodgers Expected To Be Medically Cleared By X-Mas Eve Game Vs. D.C. | Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/mnMIP85OH0
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 11, 2023
Rodgers returning to the field on Christmas Eve would mark only 104 days since suffering what looked to be a season-ending injury to his Achilles. It would represent the completion of a remarkable and unprecedented recovery for a player approaching the last stages of his career.
As Rodgers has said, though, his return is predicated on the Jets being alive in the playoff hunt. Taking the source of the report with a grain of salt, the prospects of Rodgers returning have only become more interesting this week.
Coming off a win in which they scored 30 second-half points, the rejuvenated Jets will travel to play the Miami Dolphins in Week 15, who are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the 5-8 Tennessee Titans. It is a matchup that looks a lot different than it did just one week ago.
If the Jets can escape South Florida with a win, the team will be mathematically alive in the playoff hunt heading into their final three games. In theory, this would allow Rodgers to take over the team again if ready, leading to what would be the craziest end to the season in some time for the Jets.
It remains a long shot for the Jets to make the playoffs this season. The odds of Rodgers returning would have been improved if the team won a few extra games.
Yet, the Jets have a pulse once again after their upset victory over the Texans and have a chance to keep the hope alive with another victory Sunday.
It may seem impossible or improbable, but this is the Jets, and this is the NFL. If one is to expect anything, they should expect craziness on any given Sunday.
