NFL
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is officially putting his Achilles tendon tear behind him.
The New York Jets quarterback has no restrictions as he practices with the team during organized team activities that began Monday.
“He does everything,” coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday.
Rodgers, 40, tore his left Achilles tendon in his fourth debut with the Jets within the season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 11. He moved forward together with his rehabilitation with the intention of returning at the tip of last season, but decided to desert those plans when New York was eliminated from playoff contention and he was still not 100% healthy.
Rodgers as an alternative focused on being fully ready for this season – and he appears to be well on his technique to doing so.
“He has no limitations and looks good,” Saleh said. “The arm talent is obviously still there. It's really just a matter of getting used to everything again. We're trying a lot of new things too. It's just about continuing to develop within the offensive line.”
Saleh said during offseason workouts earlier this month that the Jets expected Rodgers to be freed from restrictions after OTAs began.
On Tuesday, Saleh said whether Rodgers is 100% healthy is a greater query for the quarterback to reply, but added: “As far as we're concerned, his performance and his ability, there are no limitations for us. I ask him to do it at practice.”
Rodgers' return has fueled optimism among the many Jets, who were considered playoff contenders a 12 months ago – with talk of a Super Bowl appearance suggested by the quarterback and his teammates.
New York, which has the longest energetic playoff drought within the NFL at 13 seasons, is again named among the many teams considered contenders. The league's schedulers also value the team very highly and have scheduled the Jets for six prime-time night games in the primary eleven weeks.
Mike North, the NFL's vp of broadcast planning, said last week, “I feel like the Jets kind of owe us something” after the team scheduled five prime-time games and Rodgers was injured in Week 1.
“It’s New York, there will always be excitement,” Saleh said. “It's great that we are viewed in this light. But at the same time, none of it matters unless we focus on the process, take it day by day and try to do the best we can.”
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