After Aaron Rodgers intended to join the New York Jets, the Big Apple without hesitation welcomed him to assist them win their next Super Bowl as Tom Brady accomplished after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helped him to call his career off with the team other than New England Patriots. Yet, in the run of imitating Brady, Rodgers discovered himself as a victim of a season-ending injury.
Nevertheless, as COVID-19 could not beget fear in A-rod’s mind, his serious Achilles injury also failed to let him be serious about his health. Hence, before the expected deadline, the former Green Bay Packers player hinted at his comeback that drew the attention of some medical experts.
Medical professionals express caution over Aaron Rodgers’ quick return
After just four snaps in New York, Aaron Rodgers’ luck was tied with one of the most dangerous injuries for NFL players. After rehabbing for nearly one month, the starter chose to have his way back in the NY city to join his team from the sidelines.
However, the situation stirred much speculation, as the 39-year-old was spotted moving without crutches and throwing passes before the Jets’ upset win over the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles.
Amid all these as rumors were swirling on the air regarding Aaron’s return in Week 14, The Post conducted a virtual meeting with four prominent orthopedic surgeons in the New York area on Tuesday, to address the heated situation.
The Jets’ offensive leader’s road-of-recovery stunned Dr. John Kennedy, the professor of orthopedic surgery and chief of the foot and ankle division at NYU Langone, who claimed it as a unique case for professional athletes than normal human beings.
Though Kennedy insisted it was a very short time for the recovery process, he sounded favorable for Rodgers’ return.
“I’m not aware of anything that would get an athlete back in 14 weeks to play professional sports. That would be an exceptional recovery. Professional athletes are exceptional human beings who do things the rest of us can’t do, and maybe he will. And if he does then we’re all wrong and it’ll be fantastic for the Jets and for Aaron.”
“But if it all goes horribly wrong, that would be the risk that most of us [doctors] would say he would take if he came back in that kind of accelerated time, 14 weeks. That’s a very, very short time.’’
Dr. Peter DeLuca, the chief of sports medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. sees the possibility of Rodgers’ comeback this season entirely upon the Jets. He thinks the footballer can make this surprising outcome happen only after the Jets can go to the playoffs.
“I’m sure he’s not going to come back if there’s no chance the Jets are going to get to the playoffs. If they’re not going to make the playoffs and they’re out of it, then the decision’s easy and he won’t come back. I feel like he’ll only come back if they have solidified a spot in the playoffs. Then I think for him the reward would be greater than the risk.’’
Dr. Spencer Stein, the assistant professor of orthopedic surgery in the division of sports medicine at NYU Langone expressed an upper degree of fear among the four, stating the Jet’s quarterback should be more cautious if he doesn’t want to re-tear his Achilles.
“Even though [the speed bridge] is a newer technique and may enhance the recovery, there’s still that time it takes for the tendon to heal, and I would think you’d have to cautious for sending him back [to play] too early, because you don’t want to re-tear.”
Dr. Stephen Nicholas, the director of the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma at Lenox Hill Hospital, joined Dr. Stein, urging Aaron’s early return would not be a problem if it was just throwing passes, rather a player has to exert much pressure on himself during play that in return could bring more bad luck for him.
“Can he play again in four months? It’s possible, but not likely. We’re not just talking about a guy who’s just coming back and throwing. Coming back [too soon], you’re going to put that thing under stress. My concern would be more the impact of contact and specific positions he’s going to put himself in.’’
Nevertheless, though all the doctors expressed some degree of cautiousness, none of them directly prohibited Aaron Rodgers from taking his spot this season.
Rodgers Claims Ahead-of-Schedule Comeback
Since Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles, he became the household name for the NFL community. In Spite of having himself outside of the field for the season, Aaron perhaps did not miss his name a single day on the news headlines.
However, while all the eyes are on Aaron Rodgers return to the field, he said recently that he’s “obviously, ahead of schedule” in his appearance on the Pat McAfee shows. Though his statement further fueled the rumors of his return, he added that it was completely absurd to set a deadline for his return, per Guardian.
Furthermore, A-rod stated that he would need to check all the boxes before claiming his name to be added for the Jets’ battle.
“It’s not just going to be boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. There are critical markers that I have to hit as far as single-leg strength and being able to do heel raises and being able to do explosive movements. And these are all progressions that take time.”
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