When could Aaron Rodgers return? New York Jets quarterback cleared for practice after horror injury
Aaron Rodgers is continuing his remarkable recovery to full fitness by closing in on a return to practice but a field comeback remains off.
The New York Jets star suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon four plays into the start of the new NFL season in September.
The 39-year-old, a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, turns 40 in December and was initially ruled out for the rest of the season.
The nature of his injury at his age also threw into doubt his return to the top level but Rodgers has made a mockery of medical estimates.
The star quarterback has now been cleared to return to practice just 11 weeks after undergoing surgery as anticipation continues to build.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said: "There's certain things that he's been cleared for that we are going to allow him to do.
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"Aaron is not going to do anything to put himself in harm's way,
"This isn't so much getting ready to play as much as it is a progression in his rehab."
When could Rodgers return?
Despite featuring at practice, a comeback to the field is still some way away.
But the man himself has teased a possible return in December should the Jets still have a chance to make the playoffs.
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The Jets have a 4-7 record following a 34-13 defeat by the Miami Dolphins last time out.
The team now have a 21-day window to evaluate Rodgers in practice while the veteran remains on the injured reserve list, report .
The Jets have six games left in the regular season and if cleared to return, Rodgers could play on December 24.
That would see him make his comeback against the Washington Commanders in the Jets’ third-to-last game of the season.
Rodgers appeared on and revealed any return would depend on his health and if the Jets are in playoff contention.
He said: “Once I’m healthy, then that’s where we’re at. Are we live, are we in it?
"Can I help the team and not hurt the team by being back out there? Can I protect myself? Can I move around and do all the things I want to do?
“If the answer is yes, then we move in that direction. If the answer is no, then I gotta listen to my body.â€
The longtime Green Bay QB only made it through four plays this year before going down.
He was supposed to be at the heart of a Jets team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Following Zach Wilson's struggles in nine starts, Tim Boyle deputised in the Week 12 defeat to Miami that left Gang Green at 4-7.