Aaron Rodgers reportedly nearing medical clearance for return despite playoff hopes hinging on Jets vs Dolphins showdown

While teams like the San Francisco 49ers have already ensured their playoff run, the New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers are keeping their fingers crossed to witness the same luck for them soon. The team’s QB has been quite dramatic throughout the season. They banked heavily on Zach Wilson amid A-Rod’s rehabbing process and then moved on from him to rely on Tim Boyle for a while. They later kicked out Boyle from the roster to again bank on Wilson.

Meanwhile, Rodgers had nothing but to prepare himself to get activated, months after tearing his ACL. Till now, the update about his potential return has been very promising, and the dual-threat is reportedly nearing getting medically cleared to get included in the active roster.

Rodgers expected to get medical clearance this week

Aaron Rodgers’ return to the NFL spotlight after an Achilles injury sparked both hope and speculation within the football community. Coach Robert Saleh’s observations earlier painted a promising picture when he described the quarterback’s impressive leap during practice, although A-Rod remained limited due to his injury.

However, Saleh expressed admiration for the signal-caller’s commitment to overcoming obstacles while lauding his resilience and dedication to getting back on the field, saying, “It’s unbelievable. Credit to him, especially in this day and age where a hangnail can affect a game week, but this dude is grinding to try to get himself back. It just shows how much he cares. I have an appreciation for him”, via NBC Sports.

On Saturday evening, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the 40-year-old veteran had received medical clearance to play in the upcoming week. It stirred another sense of anticipation for a potentially historic comeback, setting the stage for the QB’s potential return in Week 16.

However, this clearance didn’t guarantee Aaron Rodgers’ immediate return to the field, prompting questions about whether the franchise would indeed let him suit up. Throughout his recovery journey, the 10-time Pro Bowler remained optimistic about his chances of returning and tempered expectations with a cautious approach, saying his injury might not necessarily be season-ending.

The critical deadline for the vet’s return to the field looms over the Jets’ decision-making process, as they have until Wednesday to make the crucial roster move for him. Failing to do so by the deadline would mean forfeiting any chance of his activation for the ongoing season.

Aaron Rodgers’ season hangs on outcome of crucial Dolphins match

When the Jets activated Aaron Rodgers in the 21-day practice wing, his potential return to the gridiron has been a beacon of hope for fans. Despite his pushing hard in practice this week, the decision to activate him remains contingent on the team’s performance against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday.

Last week saw Zach Wilson’s stellar return as the starter, following a series of lackluster performances that earned him heavy criticism. However, facing the AFC West-leading Dolphins presents a daunting challenge as the Miami-based squad, with their formidable MVP frontrunners Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa, are eager to rebound after a heartbreaking loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Meanwhile, the Jets are on the brink of being left out in the highly competitive AFC landscape. If they manage a victory, their slim playoff chances would stay alive at 6-8. This scenario could tilt the scales toward activating A-Rod to the 53-man roster, albeit his actual playtime remains doubtful for the next game against the Commanders on December 24.

However, a loss against the Dolphins would spell doom for the Gang Green, sealing their playoff elimination if the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, or Buffalo Bills secure wins in their matchups. In this case, the four-time MVP is unlikely to be activated, marking the end of his season.

Do you think that Aaron Rodgers will be able to resume play this season?