Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in his first league game for the New York Jets.
Having joined the Jets after a glittering 18-year career with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers made his long-awaited start for the franchise against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
However, he wasn't to reach the end of the first quarter, hobbling off injured after being sacked by Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd.
The Jets recovered to the win the game 22-16.
Rodgers was ruled out a short time later and X-rays were negative. But following the game, Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that he fears Rodgers sustained an Achilles injury and stated that "it's not good."
It was disclosed that Rodgers would undergo an MRI on Tuesday, with the results of that confirming their fears.
The NFL confirmed a while ago that Rodgers had suffered "a complete tear of his Achilles tendon" and was out for the season.
Not the way any of us wanted it to go, but we know the commitment you've made to this team will continue to impact us moving forward.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 12, 2023
Get well soon, @AaronRodgers12. pic.twitter.com/cKcYzjh4BZ
With Rodgers out, the Jets will turn to Zach Wilson as the No. 1 quarterback. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson was 8-14-0 as a starter with the Jets, who acquired Rodgers in an off-season trade with the Green Bay Packers.
The hope was Wilson could learn under Rodgers, a four-time league Most Valuable Player, from the sidelines this season.
But with the season over for the 39-year-old Rodgers - and whether he returns next season in doubt - the Jets are Wilson's team, and their Super Bowl dreams took a huge hit.
The Jets initially deemed Rodgers questionable to return before downgrading him to out for the night during the second quarter. X-rays on Rodgers' left ankle were negative, but reports began to surface during the game that the Achilles was the focus of the injury.
Floyd beat Jets left tackle Duane Brown and got to Rodgers untouched for a 10-yard sack with 11:15 left in the first quarter.
Rodgers initially stood up before sitting back on the turf, with trainers running out to check on him.
A cart was waiting by the team's medical tent while Rodgers was being examined. He eventually got on the cart but then stepped off and walked into the locker room.
Rodgers was wearing a boot on his left foot when he went for X-rays and returned to the locker room.
