Aaron Rodgers avoids serious injury after Week 5 scare

A new shade of green didn’t exactly suit star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who struggled to get into the air in his first five games in New York. After showing a ton of potential with strong offensive performances in Weeks 2 and 3, Rodgers and the Jets appeared out of sync in most of the last two games, resulting in a pair of losses that have their season at an early turning point.

Fans also expressed concern about how Rodgers looked physically after he was beaten in those defeats. Rodgers briefly missed Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings because of an ankle injury, but was able to return despite lacking the mobility to extend most plays in the pocket.

Head coach Robert Saleh met with the media in New York on Monday and confirmed that Rodgers is dealing with a lower ankle sprain, which is the best-case scenario given his physical appearance on Sunday. Saleh also suggested that Rodgers should be ready when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night in a game that will decide first place in the AFC East at a critical early point in the season.

While it’s good that Rodgers can play, the Jets need to protect him better to ensure he makes it through the season. The offensive line was sloppy in the last two games and New York failed to establish its running game, forcing Rodgers to drop back a total of 203 times while recording 13 sacks on 57 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, which is a poor formula for a 40-year-old Quarterback who tore his Achilles tendon.

By providing better protection and a strong running game, the Jets should give Rodgers the best chance to succeed. It’s still early enough for the Jets to turn their season around and compete for the division title, although they’ll need an upright Rodgers to do that.