After just a few plays in his debut with the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles tendon injury that took him out of the game — and the rest of the season.
The 39-year-old quarterback received an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed a torn Achilles tendon. He now requires surgery, which will take him out for the rest of the season.
"I feel more for Aaron than anyone," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday in a news conference. "He's invested so much into this organization, so much into this journey that he's embarked on, and wanting to be a part of what we've got going here. … I have a lot of emotions for him, as for us.
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According to the coach, Zach Wilson, who took over for Rodgers after his exit, will become the starter for the rest of the season.
Jets fans were eagerly awaiting Rodgers' first game with New York after he signed with the team during the off season, following 18 years with the Green Bay Packers. The quarterback carried an American flag as he made his first entrance onto the field of MetLife Stadium, and was met with thunderous applause from the crowds.
The celebration was cut short in the beginning of the first quarter, when he came into contact with Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd. Rodgers had to be helped off the field and was quickly deemed unable to return for the night.
Despite losing Rodgers, the Jets came back from being down 10 points to beat the Bills in overtime, after rookie Xavier Gipson returned a 65-yard punt for a walk-off touchdown.
"The way we came in the second half on a mission, we just picked ourselves off the ground," Saleh said at a Monday night press conference. "Defense is getting stop after stop ... It was a gritty performance. I'm proud of the guys."
The Jets' next game will take place on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, with or without Rodgers.- Does The NHL Support Transgender Athletes? Team Trans Weighs In ›
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