‘It’s not good’: Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles disaster leaves NFL in disbelief

One of the biggest stories of the NFL season has seemingly ended in week one in a move which has left the US and former stars shattered.

Rodgers lasted just five plays. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

The Jets announced that Aaron Rodgers’ X-rays were negative after he left the game during the team’s season-opening drive, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of the woods.

According to head coach Robert Saleh after the Jets 22-16 overtime win over the Bills, it’s believed that the four-time MVP is suffering an Achilles injury.

The Jets quarterback will undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday.

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“MRI is probably going to confirm what we think is already gonna happen, so prayers tonight,” Saleh said. “But it’s not good.”

Saleh told reporters that Zach Wilson will be the Jets’ starter for the rest of the season as the team appears to fear the worst with Rodgers’ injury.

“I hurt for Aaron and how much he has invested in all of this,” Saleh said. “I’m still going to say a prayer and still going to hold out hope.”

It was Rodgers’ first regular season game for the Jets since joining on a three-year $US112.5m ($A175.5m) deal.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported similar information during the halftime show on the “Monday Night Football” broadcast.

“The Jets probably have a very good idea what’s wrong with Aaron Rodgers right now,” Schefter said. “They’ll be further testing tomorrow and I think when you talk to people around the league, who have not examined him, there’s concern it could be either a high ankle sprain or Achilles injury.

“The Achilles injury is the one that everybody worries about.”

That’s about as close as you will get to confirmation of an Achilles rupture on video for Aaron Rodgers

pic.twitter.com/UVYUJWjjH7

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 12, 2023

Rodgers went down with an injury during the fifth offensive play of the game for the Jets after he was sacked by Bills edge rusher Leonard Floyd.

Initially, the 39-year-old was slow to get up and then went back to the ground in pain after he briefly stood up.

Team trainers came out to look at him and eventually helped him off the field to the medical tent.

It doesn’t look good. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

He was taken to undergo an X-ray by cart and later appeared in a walking boot after being ruled out for the rest of the game.

The injury forced the Jets to turn to backup quarterback Wilson.

NFL legend Peyton Manning was in utter disbelief over the sight.

“Holy … cow,” a shocked Manning exclaimed with a look on his face that Jets fans could relate to.

“I cannot believe this,” Manning added sitting back in his seat and putting his hands on his head.

“I thought it was just an ankle. I thought we’d go tape it up and get him back in there. Come on!”

Former WFAN midday host and noted Jets fan Joe Benigno couldn’t help but chime in on X, formerly Twitter.

“The Pain is real bro, you can’t make this up!!” he wrote on the social media platform.

This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.

Originally published as ‘It’s not good’: Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles disaster leaves NFL in disbelief