September 23, 2023

NFL

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is tended to on the sector through the first quarter. AP Picture/Seth Wenig

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers was injured on his fourth snap in his debut with the New York Jets, needing to be carted from the sideline with an ankle harm Monday night time.

Rodgers was sacked by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd and sat on the MetLife Stadium turf, the place he appeared to achieve down at his leg earlier than trainers attended to him. He stood up after a number of moments, however wanted assist attending to New York’s sideline.

The 39-year-old Rodgers was taken to the blue medical tent to be examined — after which sat on a cart. Midway to the locker room, he hopped off the cart and limped inside.

“He’s coping with an ankle proper now. We’re getting him checked out,” Jets coach Robert Saleh informed ESPN in a sideline interview.

The Jets introduced Rodgers was questionable to return. Zach Wilson changed him.

Earlier than the sport, Rodgers jogged onto the sector with an American flag in hand and obtained his first official welcome from Jets followers.

He was launched together with the Jets’ starters on offense by hip-hop artist and actor Technique Man — accompanied by a laser mild present — and obtained large applause from a crowd that has anticipated this second for the reason that four-time MVP was acquired in April.

The joy was quickly changed by a nervous murmur within the stands when Rodgers was damage 3:45 into the sport. He handed off as soon as and threw two incomplete passes earlier than the sack that despatched him to the sideline in ache.

New York acquired Rodgers, the No. 15 total choose and a fifth-rounder on this yr’s draft from Inexperienced Bay on April 26. In alternate, the Packers obtained the thirteenth total choice, a second-rounder, a sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-round choose that would turn into a first-rounder if Rodgers performs 65% of New York’s performs this season.

Rodgers, who spent his first 18 seasons with Inexperienced Bay, raised expectations for the Jets and their fan base when he stated he expects to win in New York and identified throughout his introductory information convention that the staff’s solely Tremendous Bowl trophy from the 1968 season appears “lonely.”

He offers the Jets their most completed quarterback since Brett Favre, who was acquired from Inexperienced Bay in 2008 — clearing the way in which for Rodgers to turn into the Packers’ sign caller.

Rodgers, who has repeatedly stated he received’t be one-and-done with the Jets, agreed in July to a restructured contract that offers him $75 million in totally assured cash over this season and subsequent. It quantities to an almost $35 million pay lower from the deal he had with Inexperienced Bay through which he was set to make $110 million assured.