The Jets are activating quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the 53-man roster from injured reserve, head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday. The move allows Rodgers to continue his rehab and ability to practice with the team. Had the Jets decided not to activate Rodgers — Wednesday was the deadline to do so after opening his 21-day practice window November 29 — he would have remained on injured reserve for the rest of the season and would not have been able to practice.
“We’re still going to keep him on the active,” Saleh said. “It’s all part of his rehab. Just having him on the field is a plus for everybody, for him and his teammates.”
Rodgers confirmed Tuesday with Pat McAfee he wasn’t yet 100 percent and wasn’t pushing to play with the Jets out of the playoff picture. He won’t play but he’ll be able to be around the rest of the team and his coaches, work that can help give Rodgers a head start on preparations for the 2024 season. Saleh confirmed Rodgers won’t play this season but made every effort to return to the field.
“He’s not playing,” Saleh said. “He tried everything he could to get back.”
Saleh said the Jets have the roster flexibility to allow Rodgers to return to the 53. They’ll have to make some sort of roster move to make room for Rodgers. With quarterback Zach Wilson still in the concussion protocol, the Jets are likely going to carry four quarterbacks for the time being.
The bottom line is Aaron Rodgers is (sort of) back.
