When Is Aaron Rodgers Coming Back? It Could Be A Christmas Miracle

When is Aaron Rodgers coming back?

When is Aaron Rodgers coming back? Sources predict Aaron Rodgers could be medically cleared to play by Christmas Eve to take on the Washington Commanders. TMZ reported on December 11 that: “We’re told barring an unexpected setback, Rodgers will be given the all-clear before the week 16 game against the NFC East team at MetLife Stadium in Jersey.”

NBC’s Melissa Stark iterated that the football player told her that he’s expecting to come back in “a few fortnights.” He told her: “‘I know it sounds insane, but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible,'” she said on Sunday Night Football. He is working out on a weight-limited treadmill at 50% of his body weight and plans to bump up to 75 percent this week. Rodgers was also seen without the use of crutches and throwing footballs before Jets games.

The average recovery time for Achilles Heel injury could mean up to 10 months being off the field, but recovery time can vary depending on treatment and severity of the rupture. There are two ways to treat it: nonsurgical, which involves crutches, ice, and a walking boot. There are benefits to this, like reducing the risk of infection but rehabilitation can take longer.

“Some prompt treatment is important, however, as a torn Achilles tendon will seldom heal on its own,” writes Asheesh Bedi, MD, on SportsMD.com. “With rupture, the muscle belly and tendon retract proximally into the calf and leave a large “gap” defect that cannot heal.”

Rodgers underwent a “speed bridge” procedure which helped accelerate the recovery time on the injury. The procedure was done by renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache. It’s designed to enhance the strength of the repair and protect the Achilles from stretching.

How did Aaron Rodgers get injured?

Aaron Rodgers’ injury was such a huge shock to football fans on the Monday night game because the all-star quarterback was only on the field for four snaps before he went down.

“An MRI confirmed today that Aaron Rodgers officially tore his Achilles on the fourth play of his Jets’ career. Rodgers’ season now, officially, is over,” tweeted ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. “There already are questions about whether his Hall-of-Fame career is, too.”

He added: “Aaron Rodgers’ torn Achilles might be the most devastating injury to a team and fan base in NFL history. There never has been a player who received more off-season hype, who raised another team’s expectations more, who had his season end 4 plays in without ever completing a pass.”

On Monday night, coach Robert Saleh said the team believed Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles tendon when he was sacked by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd and fell awkwardly during the Jets’ 22-16 overtime win over the Bills. Rodgers could be seen standing up for a few moments but needed help getting to the sideline. He was taken into the blue medical tent to be examined and then limped inside to the locker room.

“Concerned with his Achilles. MRI is probably going to confirm what we think is going to happen, so prayers tonight. But it’s not good,” a somber Saleh said, per AP. Saleh went on to explain that Rodgers would have an MRI on Tuesday, September 12 after X-rays during the game came back negative. “Personally, I don’t hurt for me, I don’t hurt for our locker room,” Saleh said. “I hurt for Aaron and how much he has invested in all of this. I’m going to say a prayer. I’m still going to hold out hope. But my heart’s with Aaron right now, nobody else.”

His teammate, Allen Lazard, who played five seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay, told reporters: “Obviously, just seeing how he responded to getting up and everything and limping off the field, it wasn’t anything good,” he said. “But honestly, it’s almost like comical just on how this whole offseason played out for him to go down the first game without even completing a pass and everything.”

The Achilles tendon—also known as the calcaneal tendon—is the largest tendon in the body, stretching from your heel bone to your calf muscle and it can handle about four times a person’s body weight. Almost one in four athletes will suffer an Achilles tendon injury in their lifetime.

“The classic sign of a ruptured Achilles tendon is feeling (and sometimes hearing) a pop or snap at the back of your ankle,” per the Cleveland Clinic. “People often mistakenly think something has hit them, but they’re actually feeling the tendon snap.”