Rodgers eyeing mid-December return from Achilles injury

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' goal is to return from his Achilles injury in mid-December, the four-time NFL MVP recently told Melissa Stark of NBC Sports.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh addressed Rodgers' future after his team's 16-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football.

"If the doctors clear him, then we'll clear him," Saleh said, according to Connor Hughes of SNY.

Rodgers - who was traded to New York from the Green Bay Packers during the offseason - tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his Jets debut in Week 1.

Though the team announced that the 39-year-old was expected to miss the remainder of the season in September, Rodgers has teased a potential return on multiple occasions. He originally didn't rule out playing in the playoffs and reportedly underwent an innovative Achilles surgery to accelerate getting back onto the field.

Rodgers has been throwing with his teammates during the Jets' pregame warmups and was recently seen walking without crutches or limping before a game just eight weeks after undergoing surgery.

Cameras caught the future Hall of Famer telling Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James to "give (him) a few weeks" when asked about potentially returning. Rodgers said a day later that he was joking, adding that he didn't know the postgame conversation would be recorded.

A miraculous Rodgers return would be a fascinating story for a Jets team that has struggled offensively. With Zach Wilson under center, New York has averaged only 16.5 points per game in 2023. The team is 4-5 this season.