Aaron Rodgers reportedly targeting playoff return after undergoing new type of Achilles surgery

Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon on Monday, an injury universally considered to be a season-ender in pretty much every major team sport.

The New York Jets quarterback apparently thinks he could be an exception.

Five days after sustaining the injury, Rodgers is targeting a return in time for the NFL playoffs after undergoing an innovative sort of surgery on his ankle, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

The procedure was performed Wednesday by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, whose work you’re familiar with if you’ve watched, say, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant or Zack Greinke in the later stages of their careers. ElAttrache is reported to have placed an internal brace, called an Achilles “speed bridge,” on Rodgers’ full torn left Achillles.

An early return is by no means a guarantee, but the speed bridge apparently gives Rodgers a chance that simply didn’t exist five years ago. Basically, the speed bridge enhances the strength of the repair and guards it against stretching, potentially allowing Rodgers to accelerate his rehab.

Aaron Rodgers out for the season? Not so fast my friend. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Rodgers himself didn’t rule out the possibility of a playoff return during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, invoking a certain former Boston Celtics power forward:

“I’m not gonna make any of those statements. I don’t feel like that’s fair to myself … I think, as Kevin Garnett said, ‘Anything is possible!'”

Cam Akers is an encouraging precedent for Aaron Rodgers

We’ve already seen this sort of surgery before with Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers, who tore his Achilles in July 2021.

Previously thought to be out for the season, Akers was back on the Rams’ active roster on Christmas of that year and returned to game action five-and-a-half months later in Jan. 2022. He played one regular season game, then posted 172 rushing yards in four games during the Rams’ Super Bowl run.

Akers didn’t miss a single game due to…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2023-09-17 01:06:01

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