EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — This was not the way Aaron Rodgers wanted to start his regular-season debut with the New York Jets.
Rodgers, 39, making his first start with the Jets after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, was injured and knocked out of the game during New York’s first series against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, NBC Sports reported.
Torn Achilles confirmed, out for season
Update 11:39 a.m. EDT Sept. 12: NFL.com has confirmed that Rodgers has a torn Achilles and will be out for the rest of the 2023-2024 season.
CBS Sports reported that an MRI on Tuesday morning showed a full Achilles tendon tear.
Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, will become the Jets’ starting quarterback, as team coach Robert Saleh announced Monday.
ESPN reported that Rodgers is “likely to return in 2024,″ but that has not been confirmed as the sports outlet speculated about who could replace Rodgers on the roster and back up Wilson. There is currently only one other quarterback on the Jets’ roster, Tim Boyle, who is on the team’s practice roster, according to ESPN.
— Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
‘It’s not good,’ Jets coach says
Update 11:44 p.m. EDT Sept. 11: Speaking with reporters after Monday’s game, Jets coach Robert Saleh said he believes that Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles injury.
“The MRI is probably going to confirm what we think already is going to happen, so prayers tonight,’” Saleh said. “It’s not good.”
Rodgers is scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday.
Jets’ HC Robert Saleh told reporters that he believes Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury and “it’s not good.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2023
Original report: The four-time NFL MVP was sacked by Buffalo defensive lineman Leonard Floyd with 10:56 left in the first quarter, ESPN reported. It was Rodgers’ fourth snap of the game, and the sack was good for a 10-yard loss.
X-rays were negative, but Rodgers was sidelined for the rest of the game.
On two of the previous plays, Rodgers had been pressured by Buffalo’s defense.
Aaron Rodgers was injured and helped off the field on the first Jets drive vs. the Bills. pic.twitter.com/vtKHRW566V
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2023
Rodgers remained down on the field after being sacked by Floyd. He was attended to on the field and then was led to the sidelines by members of the Jets medical staff,
Rodgers attempted one pass during his first series, which was incomplete.
QB Aaron Rodgers (ankle) is questionable to return #BUFvsNYJ
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
The nature and extent of Rodgers’ injury was unclear. In a tweet, the Jets said that Rodgers had suffered an ankle injury was questionable to return to the game.
Zach Wilson replaced Rodgers at quarterback, NBC Sports reported. He completed 14 of 21 passes, and Jordan Whitehead had three interceptions, as the Jets defeated the Bills 22-16 in overtime on Xavier Gipson’s 65-yard punt return for a score.
