Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the New York Jets, underwent a cutting-edge treatment on Wednesday in Los Angeles that is intended to hasten the recovery time from a torn Achilles. Rodgers is now aiming for an unlikely postseason comeback.
According to sources, Rodgers’ fully torn left Achilles, which he ruptured just four snaps into Monday’s game against the Bills, was put in an internal brace termed an Achilles “speed bridge” by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and his colleagues.
Although there are no guarantees, sources claim that the speed bridge safeguards the repair and creates the potential of an early return.
According to sources familiar with the surgery, it’s a relatively new method intended to have an athlete totally recovered from what is typically a season-ending injury in as little as four months. Additionally, if the Jets make the playoffs, it might offer Rodgers at least a chance to be ready to play again by mid-January, just before the start of the postseason.
Injections of platelet-rich plasma, like the ones that Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who had ElAttrache repair his Achilles in 2013, famously received in Germany for a knee injury, might also be given to Rodgers. Other NFL players, including Russell Wilson last season, have undergone similar surgeries.
Rodgers long term health and Jets current season
On Friday, Rodgers claimed on The Pat McAfee Show that he texted ElAttrache from the locker room to begin the healing process. Rodgers said on the show ,
“There’s a lot of different ideas about the overall length of the rehab, I think what I’d like to say is, just because nobody’s ever done it in a certain way doesn’t mean it’s not possible,”
“I definitely have some odds stacked against me based on age, but I like it. Stack all the odds up against me and see what happens. My entire focus and dedication is about acquiring the most information and adding to what I’ve already put together as a pretty damn good rehab plan that’s going to, I think, shock some people.”
Rodgers has great expectations for a speedy return, but there are many limitations.
Although sources claim it increases the strength of the repair and protects it against stretching, the speed bridge does not ensure a quicker return. The outcome of Rodgers’ rehabilitation and the way his body handles turning 40 in December are so crucial. This would be irrelevant if there was no compelling reason to delay the return, i.e. the Jets are not in the playoffs.
Naturally, the Jets would have to get there without four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Zach Wilson, a former second-round pick, will start the away game against the Cowboys on Sunday.
The technique may carry certain dangers as well. But according to reports, for Rodgers, the possible advantages of a quicker return to the field outweigh potential risks like the necessity for further surgery.
Wilson will be the Jets’ starting quarterback for the time being. According to sources, they have not looked for a different well-known veteran QB, including Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, or Joe Flacco. Fundamentally, the idea was that Wilson provides them the best chance to triumph.