Aaron Rodgers updated his status during his weekly spot on the Pat McAfee Show, reiterating that while a factor in returning this season is the Jets’ playoff chances, the top objective is being physically able to play.
“It’s always been first, am I healthy? And then, are we alive? Are we in it?” Rodgers said. “Are we playing good enough to make a run? But the first part is the health. Can I protect myself, can I move around the way I want to move around?
“There's a natural progression here to the rehab, and that's gonna involve actually getting back on the field to do some things that are more football related. We’re not where I can make a decision on playing, because health-wise, I’m improving steadily, but I’m not able to play at this point.”
Rodgers reportedly was targeting a return to practice this week, which would be a landmark in an improbable recovery from a torn Achilles suffered less than three months ago. But the Jets are fading fast in the playoff race, and very likely could be out of the running by the time Rodgers is ready to come back, if he is at all this season. Still, he made sure it was clear that above the Jets’ playoff chances is him being able to play.
“Once I’m healthy and that’s when we’re at, are we alive and are we in it? Can I help the team and not hurt the team by being back out there?” Rodgers said. “Can I protect myself and 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, I have to listen to my body…it’s health first, and then…are we alive for the playoffs second.”
