After an offseason of hype surrounding the New York Jets, new quarterback Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury on only his fourth play of the season. Just a day after the game ended, the Jets announced that Rodgers would be out for the season with a torn achilles. All hope was gone for the Jets, but at around midseason, Rodgers started hinting at a return. He has even given a time range, saying he’ll be back in mid-December. Although this has given fans hope, Rodgers would be the fastest player ever to hit the field again after an achilles injury. It has everybody wondering, how would this be possible?
Reports coming from all over have mentioned how Rodgers is on pace for a historic return. Rodgers has been seen on the field before games walking without crutches throwing around a football, while during the game you can find him on the sideline talking to backup Zach Wilson. He has been on the sidelines through all the struggles of Wilson, trying to give him advice as Wilson struggles to keep the team afloat.
What went on in the doctor’s office is what has drawn most of the attention. The surgeon that was treating Rodgers used a technique that he called “internal bracing”. Although the specific procedure performed on Rodgers is unknown, the healing regiment is known to be faster for recovery and very effective. The procedure performed on Rodgers includes a “bridge brace” that is added over the site that requires repair. This brace helps protect the repair site and make it so the patient, in this case Rodgers, can resume physical activities earlier in his rehab then he would in a regular circumstance. This also allows him to get out of wearing a cast for a longer period of time. Usually this method would take about 9-12 months to heal, but the internal brace protects the injury from stretching in a movement that can reinjure the tendon.
Aaron Rodgers is trying to become the fastest player to return from a torn achilles injury. Right now the record is held by former Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers. He was able to return to the field in only 5.5 months. Rodgers is proposing a less than 4 month return. If this does happen, it will be a sight for the whole world to see, and could rethink the way NFL players are able to recover from injuries.
