What's next for Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after Achilles injury?

A long road to recovery awaits New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tore his left Achilles tendon Monday night in a season-opening victory over the Bills.

Rodgers, who suffered the injury during his first offensive possession in his first game as a member of the Jets, will miss the entire 2023 season. The injury dampens what was expected to be a major jump for the Jets, who acquired Rodgers in an April trade, and are looking to end a 12-season playoff drought, the NFL's longest active streak.

It also raises a series of questions about Rodgers' future in the NFL, his future with the Jets and what, if any, effect the injury will have on his performance on the field, should he decide to play again.

Here is the very latest surrounding Rodgers' torn Achilles injury.

What's next for Aaron Rodgers?

As Rodgers and his team prepare for surgery to mend the Achilles tear, he may be experiencing some initial swelling that is common in the first days after the injury. If there is indeed swelling, the surgeon Rodgers chooses may recommend waiting until it subsides before operating. Once completed, Rodgers likely will be limited to rest and very light exercises to maintain a baseline level of fitness. He almost certainly will have to manage the initial post-op pain that is common with Achilles tendon repairs. He will need to avoid stretching the newly repaired tendon. Rodgers also likely will be placed in an Achilles walking boot to immobilize the foot and likely will need the assistance of crutches or a scooter for movement.

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Eventually, Rodgers will ramp up his rehab as he will look to strengthen the repaired tendon and calf muscle. As he progresses, he will be asked to increase his flexibility and movement of the foot and incrementally bear more weight on it, as recommended. Perhaps one overlooked part of the Achilles rehabilitation for athletes, as it is with any significant injury, is the mental endurance and effect that positivity can have on players coping with missing playing time.

According to a March 2010 study in Lower Extremity Review magazine, the average time for NFL players to return to the field following a torn Achilles was 11 months.

When will Aaron Rodgers have surgery to repair his torn Achilles?

That is still unclear. Jets coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday that a date has not been determined, though the procedures typically occur within the first few days of the injury. Otherwise, the torn tendon can retract and make a complete recovery more difficult, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Has Aaron Rodgers said anything since the Achilles tear injury?

On Wednesday, Rodgers posted a message on his verified Instagram account, thanking people for support after the injury and said he was "proud" of his teammates. He also said, "I shall rise yet again," though he did not offer a concrete confirmation about his playing future.

"Thank you to every person that has reached out, called, texted, DM’d, connected through a friend, etc.," Rodgers wrote. "It has meant a ton to me, and I’ll try and get back to all of you soon.

"I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.

"The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again."

Though it was announced earlier in September that Rodgers would be a regular guest Tuesdays on "The Pat McAfee Show" on ESPN, he didn't participate in Tuesday's episode. Saleh had said late Monday night that Rodgers would be undergoing further testing and an MRI Tuesday to confirm the extent of the injury. In any case, it is unclear if Rodgers will still be a regular guest on the show.

Will Aaron Rodgers retire or play in 2024?

This is perhaps the biggest question surrounding the injury and one Rodgers himself may not even have clarity on right now. Rodgers will turn 40 in December and was already considering retirement after last season. Saleh, though, when asked Wednesday whether he thought this would be the end of Rodgers' NFL career, said, "I'd be shocked."

What is Aaron Rodgers' injury history?

For the most part, Rodgers has been available during his 19-season NFL career. But, as any player who has that much experience, he has still faced a number of ailments, both minor and more significant.

He suffered a pair of concussions late in the 2010 season, in October and then in December. In both cases, Rodgers wasn't immediately removed and recalled having instant memory loss of the subsequent plays called. In December 2018, he suffered a third concussion, in a game against the Detroit Lions.

Last season, his final one in Green Bay, Rodgers said in November that he had been playing through a small fracture in his right, throwing thumb. He did not miss any playing time. In 2018, he suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament and tibial plateau fracture in his left knee during a season-opening game, but did not miss any time. Rodgers has also dealt with calf strains, a chest bruise and broken toes during his career.

The injuries that had previously caused Rodgers to miss the most time had been a pair of fractures to his right clavicle, in 2013 and 2017. He missed seven games when he had the first fracture and nine the second time.

The Achilles tear suffered Monday night, however, is far and away Rodgers' most significant NFL injury.