Aaron Rodgers’ Comeback Falls Short Due to Jets’ Struggles

Four-time NFL MVP and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers shockingly returned to practice on November 30, 2023, but he won’t play because the Jets have been eliminated from the playoffs.

Rodgers tore his Achilles against the Buffalo Bills in week 1 of the NFL season and wasn’t expected to be able to play or practice for the rest of the year.

Most elite athletes require six or more months of rehabilitation to recover from an Achilles tear, but Rodgers has returned to practice after less than four months of recovery. If the Jets had made the Playoffs, Rodgers would likely be playing, amazingly.

Rodgers was determined to return this year and shock the world. ”Give me your timetables, give me your doubts, give me your prognostications, and then watch what I do,” Rodgers stated.

While Rodgers is recovering faster than almost anyone predicted, his treatment has been bizarre.

Orthopedic Surgeon and head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Rams, Dr. ElAttrache, can be credited for Rodgers’ recovery. Dr. ElAttrache placed an internal brace called a ”speed bridge” on Rodgers’ Achilles. This process strengthens the repair of Rodgers’ Achilles but doesn’t guarantee a speedy recovery.

Additionally, Rodgers has been using an anti-gravity treadmill designed by AlterG, which allows Rodgers to run without too much impact, so he can run without risking another injury. He’s also been using blood flow restriction therapy, which strengthens atrophied parts of the body after surgery. Because Rodgers is recovering so fast, these methods could be the future of recovery.

James Voos, head team physician for the Cleveland Browns, has been giving these methods to Rodgers. He said in an interview with USA Today that he knows these methods are the future of recovery. ”Overall and particularly at the professional sports level, we’re becoming much more adept at rehabilitating patients faster than ever.”

Rodgers has also been taking platelet-rich plasma injections and has used stem cell therapy, which remains an advanced method.

In addition, Rodgers has embraced the mental side of recovery by doing yoga and meditation.

Moreover, Rodgers has also used psychedelics to improve his mental health, which many NFL fans think is bizarre.

As stated in an interview with USA Today, physical therapist, nutritionist, and strength trainer Karan Patel believes that Rodgers being in a good mental space before surgery is the most important thing. ”The mental space that you are in before surgery will have a great effect on your results after surgery. How you feel like you are doing is almost as important as how you are actually doing.” Perhaps the psychedelics are helping with that.

With a fast return from a major injury such as an Achilles tear comes a greater risk of re-injury. Rodgers considered playing at less than 100 percent because he greatly desires to get back on the field. However, the Jets won’t take this risk because they have nothing to play for, which will allow Rodgers to get back to 100 percent before next season.

The Jets look forward to Rodgers returning next year. With Zach Wilson under center, the Jets have only averaged 14.7 points per game, which is 30th in the NFL. While Rodgers is 40 years old, it’s safe to assume that the Jets’ offense would thrive under the former four-time MVP quarterback.