Star Quarterback’s Debut Ends Abruptly with Injury

East Rutherford, N.J. – The New York Jets are anxiously awaiting official confirmation on the status of their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. However, the team is bracing itself for grim news, suspecting that Rodgers may have suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

Coach Robert Saleh expressed the team’s concerns, stating that they anticipate the MRI scheduled for Tuesday will confirm their worst fears, effectively ending Rodgers’ season.

“MRI is gonna confirm what we think is already gonna happen, so prayers tonight, but it’s not good,” Saleh lamented following the Jets’ 22-16 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills.

Rodgers’ highly anticipated debut with the Jets was cut short, lasting just four snaps into the game. He was ruled out due to what was initially described as a left ankle injury, leaving fans at MetLife Stadium disheartened.

The Jets reported that X-rays on Rodgers’ ankle yielded negative results. However, ESPN cameras captured him entering and exiting the X-ray room with a walking boot on his left leg.

The injury occurred during Rodgers’ first series. He faced pressure on all three dropbacks during the drive, which culminated in a sack on a first-down play. On that play, Bills edge rusher Leonard Floyd swiftly got past left tackle Duane Brown and brought Rodgers to the ground. Rodgers attempted to scramble away, but his left foot twisted awkwardly as he fell.

Immediately after the play, Rodgers signaled to the sideline, shook his head, and voluntarily sat on the turf, awaiting examination by Jets trainers. Moments later, they helped him to his feet, and he limped off the field with their assistance. Rodgers was then taken into the blue medical tent on the sideline. Shortly afterward, he emerged from the tent and sat on a cart. Staff started to wheel him toward the locker room, but as the cart approached the tunnel, Rodgers stood up and limped to the locker room.

Officially, Rodgers’s debut statistics show him going 0-for-1, as his second dropback was nullified due to a defensive holding penalty by the Bills.

Backup quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and last season’s starter for the Jets, stepped in to replace Rodgers.

Coach Saleh confirmed that if Rodgers is indeed out for the season, the team will continue with Wilson as the starting quarterback. Wilson completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards, recording one touchdown and one interception during his time on the field.

Aaron Rodgers joined the Jets in April through a trade with the Green Bay Packers, ending his remarkable 18-year tenure with the Packers, where he became the franchise’s longest-tenured player. Rodgers, aged 39, is a four-time AP Most Valuable Player of the Year and is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s premier and precise passers. He spent the offseason acclimating to the Jets’ locker room and fully participated in the team’s offseason workout program.