New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers backtracked a claim about his recovery that he made in a now-viral clip.
Rodgers admitted that telling Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. that he would be back in "a few weeks" is' "probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline."
“It’d be nice to be able to get back in a couple weeks,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on 'the Pat McAfee Show' Tuesday (November 7). “That’s probably not anywhere near a realistic timeline. … It’s more of a phrase that didn’t have a specific timetable.”
A clip shared by ESPN's Adam Schefter hours before his appearance on McAfee's show showed Rodgers embracing James after the Jets' 27-6 loss to the Chargers Monday (November 6) night and saying he was "a few weeks" away from playing again, despite the projected season-ending injury, when James asked about his recovery.
"Chargers’ safety Derwin James asked Aaron Rodgers, postgame last night, 'When you coming back?' Rodgers responded, 'A few weeks,'" Schefter wrote on his X account.
Rodgers was seen dropping back and throwing passes before the game, less than two months after undergoing Achilles surgery.
Rodgers had previously told NBC Sports' Melissa Stark that "his goal is to play again this season" during the Jets' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in October.
"His plan is to rejoin the team permanently after their Week 7 bye and he told me his goal is to play again this season," Stark said during the live 'Sunday Night Football' broadcast on October 1.
Rodgers made his first public post-surgery appearance on the Pat McAfee Show in September and addressed his outlook for recovery.
"I think what I'd like to say is give me the doubts, give me the timetables, give me all the things you think can, should or will happen because all I need is that one little extra percent of inspiration," Rodgers said at the time. "That's all I need. Give me your doubts, give me your prognostications and then watch what I do."
Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reports that Rodgers was feared to have suffered an Achilles injury and "it's not good," prior to undergoing an MRI on September 12. The four-time NFL MVP was replaced by former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, who head coach Robert Saleh confirmed would take over as the team's starting quarterback if necessary moving forward.
Rodgers was carted off the field and brought into the Jets' locker room and seen wearing a boot on his foot after exiting the team's X-ray room, which NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said was "an indication his night is over." 'Monday Night Football' play-by-play man Joe Buck had initially said Rodgers was reported to have suffered an ankle injury and his status was "questionable" prior to officially being ruled out.
In May, the Athletic's Dianna Russini, then working for ESPN, reported that Rodgers appeared to suffer a potential injury during the Jets' OTAs session and was seen "favoring his ankle." The Jets acquired Rodgers in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers, with whom the quarterback had spent the entirety of his 18-year NFL career.
Rodgers leads all Packers quarterbacks with 475 touchdowns and ranks second in franchise history behind only Favre in QB wins (147), completions (5,001) and passing yards (7,660).
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