Rodgers leaves Jets debut with injury, coach fears Achilles damage

Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing Rights

Sept 11 (Reuters) – New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said he fears Aaron Rodgers has injured his Achilles tendon after the quarterback left Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills due to an injury sustained on his first drive with his new team.

Rodgers, who joined the Jets after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, was sacked by Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd with 11:15 left in the first quarter.

After briefly getting to his feet the 39-year-old sat back down on the turf before being helped off the field. He was examined on the sidelines by team medical staff before heading to the locker room and did not return to the game.

“Concerned with his Achilles,” Saleh told reporters after the game, which the Jets won 22-16. “An MRI is probably going to confirm what we think has happened, so prayers tonight.

“But it’s not good.”

Rodgers has stirred excitement among Jets fans after his move in the offseason from the Packers, where he won four league MVP awards and led the team to a Super Bowl title in 2011.

“I hurt for Aaron and how much he has invested in all of this,” added Saleh. “I’m still going to hold out hope. But my heart’s with Aaron right now, nobody else.”

Zach Wilson replaced Rodgers at quarterback and led the Jets to the win in overtime.

Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, additional reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter Rutherford

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