Monday update: It is a complete tear of the Achilles for Rodgers, confirmed by MRI. That means his 2023 season is officially done after just four plays, and he is not going to hit the 65% threshold for the 2024 pick to become a first-round selection.
Postgame update: The Jets believe Rodgers has an Achilles injury, and the quarterback will get a MRI done tomorrow to determine the extent of the issue. If it is a tear as the team fears, he’s going to miss the full season and that would mean the Packers would get a second-round pick in the 2024 draft like they originally were getting.
Breaking: Robert Saleh says they fear a torn Achilles for Rodgers. “It’s not good.” MRI tomorrow. They expect it to confirm the tear. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 12, 2023
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an ankle injury early in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, needing assistance to get to the locker room for further evaluation. Rodgers is officially questionable to return to the game, and the bigger picture has implications beyond New York and the AFC East.
Rodgers was acquired in the offseason from the Green Bay Packers, who received a draft picks package in return for the star quarterback. One of those picks was a conditional 2024 second-round pick, which turns into a first-round pick if Rodgers plays a certain number of plays. That number is 65%. If he doesn’t hit that number, the pick remains a second-round selection for Green Bay.
If the ankle injury turns out to be a sprain, Rodgers likely misses a couple weeks before returning. Anything more severe than that or a related injury to the Achilles or calf would mean additional time missed. That would put Green Bay’s first-round pick in jeopardy. Of course, the Packers would want Rodgers to be back on the field as soon as possible to get the best pick possible.