During his press conference Wednesday, the New York Jets head coach, Robert Saleh, revealed a few confusing decisions and plans at quarterback for Week 16.
Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show he was not healed enough to play for the Jets now that the team has been eliminated from the postseason. Rodgers talked about his plans for 2024, implying he won’t play in any of the final three Jets games in the regular season.
The New York Jets activate Rodgers
According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Jets decided to activate Rodgers off injured reserve Wednesday. He’ll continue to rehab from his Achilles tear over the next month.
#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers will be activated off Injured Reserve, source said
Rogers said on @PatMcAfeeShow he’s not yet ready to play after his Achilles tear. But he’ll continue his rehab. pic.twitter.com/HwpzVLhAEx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2023
This is a confusing move for the Jets to make this week. They could have kept Rodgers on injured reserve for the rest of the season while he rehabbed and not have taken away a spot on the 53-man roster for a player who cannot play due to injury.
The Jets are dealing with another injury at quarterback this week. Zach Wilson suffered a concussion during the Jets blowout to the Miami Dolphins.
Per Mike Garafolo with the NFL Network, Wilson is still in the concussion protocol. Saleh said the Jets “won’t close the door” on Wilson playing the Commanders on Christmas Eve. That doesn’t appear promising for the third-year quarterback to play the Commanders.
Zach Wilson still in the concussion protocol, Robert Saleh says. The #Jets "won't close the door" on him playing this weekend.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 20, 2023
The Jets have an active roster with multiple injured QBs
If he cannot play, the Jets quarterback roster could include two injured quarterbacks. The Jets have no quarterback on their practice squad. They have Trevor Siemian and Brett Rypien on the 53-man roster, but one would assume the Jets will cut Rypien to make room for Rodgers’ activation.
The Jets would then hope to sign Rypien to the practice squad should he clear waivers and activate him as Siemian’s backup against the Commanders. That is if the Jets don’t want four quarterbacks in the 53-man roster.
This seems needlessly complex. But then again, that’s what they traded for when they brought in Rodgers. It’s not like mismanaging the 53-man roster will harm their playoff chances now.
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