'Heartbroken' Rodgers after Achilles injury: 'I shall rise yet again'
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers took to Instagram on Wednesday to make his first public comments since tearing his left Achilles tendon during New York's 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
"I'm completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love," Rodgers wrote. "Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.
"The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again."
Rodgers, whom New York landed in a trade from the Green Bay Packers in April, suffered the injury only four snaps into his Jets debut in Week 1. He attempted just one pass before leaving the game.
The four-time NFL MVP spent his first 18 pro seasons with the Packers and established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time while leading Green Bay to a Super Bowl title in 2011.
The Jets acquired Rodgers hoping he'd help end the franchise's 12-season playoff drought. New York has only made one Super Bowl appearance, winning the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the 1968 season.
Rodgers last missed extended time with an injury in 2017 when he appeared in just seven games due to a shoulder ailment. He bounced back in style and made the Pro Bowl a year later and ultimately claimed his third MVP award in 2020.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said earlier Wednesday that he'd be "shocked" if Rodgers retires. New York is expected to move forward with 2021 No. 2 pick Zach Wilson as its starting quarterback.