Aaron Rodgers injury update: Jets star overcomes ankle injury, but can’t lead comeback vs. Vikings | Sporting News United Kingdom

Jets fans were holding their collective breaths Sunday morning after QB Aaron Rodgers was forced to leave the NFL London game for a brief spell. 

New York went across the pond for Week 5, hoping to hand an undefeated Minnesota squad its first loss of the 2024 campaign. Rodgers and Co. are coming off an ugly loss to the Broncos in Week 4, dropping their record to 2-2. 

That record fell to 2-3 after a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in Week 5. While the loss hurt, Jets fans may have avoided a worse fate Sunday.

Rodgers missed a majority of his first season as a member of the Jets, tearing his Achilles four plays into the 2023 season. So far, it’s been a healthy start to this campaign for the 40-year-old, however, Jets fans had a bit of a deja vu moment during the London contest. 

The Jets QB entered Week 5 completing 64.1% of his passes for 849 yards, five TDs and an interception. 

MORE: Results, highlights, stats from Jets vs. Vikings in London

Here is the latest on Rodgers’ injury during the Jets-Vikings contest. 

Aaron Rodgers injury update

Rodgers went down during the third quarter with an apparent lower-body injury. After the game, Rodgers admitted he was “pretty banged up” before calling the injury a low ankle sprain.

After getting a throw off deep in his own territory, the Jets QB was tackled by Vikings LB Jihad Ward. As he went to the ground, he was caught in between Ward and DE Patrick Jones II, and videos caught him yelling in pain. 

Rodgers stayed down on the field for a moment as the training staff came out to attend to him. He was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power. 

Aaron Rodgers down and I’m immense agony.

Good to see him get up and walk off on his own. 👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/wIURomOfCq

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 6, 2024

After the Vikings were penalized on the ensuing punt by the Jets, Tyrod Taylor came in for a play at quarterback. One play later, New York fans let out a sigh of relief, as Rodgers returned to the contest. 

Aaron Rodgers stats vs. Vikings

Final score: Vikings 23, Jets 17

Rodgers overcame a troubling start to find his groove, as his passing helped New York get back in the game. Rodgers threw two interceptions in the first quarter, the first of which was returned for a touchdown.

Rodgers worked on his chemistry with Garrett Wilson in real-time, targeting the star WR 22 times in the game. Wilson finished with 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers’ other touchdown toss went to Allen Lazard.

Unfortunately for Rodgers and the Jets, his third interception came in the game’s final minute when New York was on the verge of completing a game-winning drive.

Aaron Rodgers most interceptions in a game

Rodgers’ three interceptions tie a career-worst mar — he has thrown three interceptions on six different occasions. Sunday was the first time since Week 9 of the 2022 season.

Rodgers-led teams are now 0-6 when he throws three interceptions.

Jets QB depth chart

Starter: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is in his second season with the Jets, who acquired him via trade in April 2023. He missed all but a few plays of his first season in New York due to an Achilles injury.

As a four-time league MVP, Rodgers is one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. He is 2-2 through his first four games in the 2024 season.

Backup: Tyrod Taylor

Tyrod Taylor is the backup for Rodgers. Another veteran of the game, he signed with the Jets this offseason, joining what is his seventh team in his NFL career. 

Last season, Taylor started five games for the New York Giants and posted a 2-3 record as a starter. This season, Taylor went 6-for-8 when spelling Rodgers late in the Jets’ Week 1 loss to the 49ers.

Practice squad: Adrian Martinez

Martinez went undrafted in 2023. After he was cut by the Lions, Martinez played for the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions.

Martinez enjoyed a successful season with Birmingham. He was named MVP of the 2023 season and the championship game.

Aaron Rodgers Achilles injury

Rodgers suffered a rupture of his Achilles tendon when making his Jets debut in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.

Rodgers announced he underwent successful surgery to repair the tendon on Sept. 14, 2023. In late November, Rodgers returned to the practice field but was ultimately ruled out for the season once New York was mathematically disqualified from postseason contention.

Nearly a year to the date of his injury, Rodgers returned to the field to face San Francisco in Week 1 of the 2024 season.

How old is Aaron Rodgers?

Rodgers is 40 years old. He was born on Dec. 2, 1983, and will turn 41 ahead of New York’s Week 14 visit to Miami.