East Rutherford, N.J. (WFAN/WGR 550) - Despite a dramatic22-16 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in their season opener Monday night at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets appear to have been dealt a major blow under center just four offensive snaps into the game.
According to Jets head coach Robert Saleh following the win, quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury less than four minutes into his debut in New York. When asked about the extent of the injury, Saleh termed the outlook as "not good."
Rodgers was forced to leave Monday night’s opener with, what was originally reported as, an ankle injury after taking a sack from Bills pass rusher Leonard Floyd. The veteran, at first, got up following the sack, but shortly went back down to the turf before needing assistance off the field.
After heading to the blue medical tent and being deemed with an ankle injury, the 39-year-old was placed on a cart on the sideline and rolled back to the locker room for further evaluation.
During the second quarter, ESPN cameras showed Rodgers getting off the cart with a walking boot on his left leg and going into the X-ray room without any shoulder pads on. He was soon ruled out - although Lisa Salters said soon after she heard reports on the X-rays were negative.
Rodgers' stat line to end the game showed as him going 0-of-1 and his one sack for a 10-yard loss.
Coming into the game to replace Rodgers was third-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who ended up completing 14-of-21 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson later in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 13-13, and a second quarter interception.
The 39-year-old Rodgers injured the same leg during organized team activities (OTAs) in the spring when he missed some practice sessions with a calf strain. However, he didn't miss any practices during training camp and was able to play in the preseason.
Now the attention on offense will likely turn back to Wilson under center heading into the rest of the regular season. Saleh thought after the game Wilson was "awesome," and he would be the guy heading into their Week 2 showdown with the Cowboys in Dallas.