The Jets’ nightmare scenario came quickly Monday night.
New quarterback Aaron Rodgers injured his ankle on on the team’s fifth offensive play.
He has been ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Rodgers was wearing a walking boot as he headed to the Jets locker room after getting X-rays, which were negative, the team revealed.
“He’s dealing with an ankle right now, he’s getting checked out,” coach Robert Saleh told ESPN’s Lisa Salters on the live “Monday Night Football” broadcast.
“We’ll know more later. We still have a hell of a group of guys… we’ll get this thing done.”
Rodgers was sacked by Bills edge rusher Leonard Floyd.
Aaron Rodgers was injured and helped off the field on the first Jets drive vs. the Bills. pic.twitter.com/vtKHRW566V
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2023
He got up slow and then sat down on the field.
He was helped off the field by trainers and headed to the blue medical tent before needing a cart on the sideline.
Rodgers only attempted one pass before the injury, an incompletion.
Another short completion to Tyler Conklin was nullified by a defensive penalty on the Bills.
Rodgers’ highly publicized Jets debut — and his ensuing injury — we being widely monitored by many around the NFL.
“Hate that, man… Praying for the best,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes tweeted after Rodgers left the game.
Joe Namath, the only quarterback to lead the Jets to a Super Bowl win, tried to stay positive.
“Realistically, the way Rodgers left the field I don’t expect him to come back tonight,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “So let’s stay positive. I’m glad we have Zach to come in and I’m glad he’s had the tutelage that he’s had with Aaron. I hope he’s got his scrambling shoes on tonight!! GO JETS!!!”
Rodgers, after 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, joined the Jets in an offseason trade.
This was Aaron Rodgers, spotted a short time ago, wearing a heavy black walking boot on his left ankle/foot … The #Jets QB was visibly despondent as he was carted thru the stadium…
Photo courtesy of Sal Paolantonio pic.twitter.com/RjJZWHIXWG
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) September 12, 2023
His arrival brought Super Bowl expectations to Gang Green that could take a huge hit if he missed significant time.
