Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are already underway for the 2023 season. In fact, a number of former Green Bay Packers have started their 2023 season with the New York Jets this week. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned for some of those new members. Today is was reported that multiple former Green Bay Packers suffered injuries during their very first OTAs practice.
Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, And New York Jets Suffer Worst Case Scenario During First OTAs Practice
According to Freddie Boston of Fansided:
The New York Jets became Super Bowl contenders by trading for former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. More important than anything is that Rodgers stays healthy.
Rodgers has shown incredible toughness over the years in Green Bay, playing through some significant injuries and rarely missing time.
Just last season, Rodgers played with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. He has also continued to play with significant knee and calf injuries in the past. There’s no doubting Rodgers’ toughness. However, for the Jets to compete in a challenging AFC this season, they need Rodgers to be at full strength.
The four-time MVP has been in attendance at the Jets’ organized team activities this week, but he has reportedly suffered an injury.
According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Rodgers was off to the side at practice after suffering an injury. Russini noted that he was “favoring his ankle.”
Russini did add that Rodgers rejoined the offensive group on the field, but he didn’t have a helmet on.
Hopefully, Rodgers is OK and the injury isn’t serious. But for a player who has skipped OTAs in recent years for the Packers, it won’t be surprising if he decides to sit out the rest of the way.
Rodgers needs to be healthy for the Jets to compete this season. Considering they play in the same division as the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, they probably need Rodgers for all 17 games to have a chance of winning the AFC East.
Rodgers’ playing time is also important for the Packers this season. If Rodgers plays 65% or more of the Jets’ snaps, Green Bay will receive a first-round pick from New York next year. If he plays less than that number, it will be a second-rounder.
Let’s hope the injury isn’t serious. Rodgers being hurt would be the worst-case scenario for the Jets.
While there is no immediate sign that Aaron Rodgers or Allen Lazard will be sidelined long, their two biggest free agent acquisitions this off-season going down on the very first day is certainly worst case scenario. The health of Rodgers and Lazard will go a long way towards the Jets success in 2023.
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