EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Only four-plus weeks removed from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers surprised onlookers by throwing for five minutes during the pregame warmups before his team faced the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Rodgers, 39, injured in the season opener on Sept. 11, arrived at the stadium with no sign of crutches. About two hours before kickoff, he threw on the field to a Jets staff member, later tossing a few to star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who is ruled out for Sunday's game with a concussion.
The four-time MVP was stationary while throwing, but he was stepping into each pass, putting weight on his surgically repaired left Achilles.
He was about 15 yards away from his target. Rodgers watched the game from the Jets' sideline, wearing a headset. For safety reasons, it's unusual for injured players to be in the bench area during games.