With his deadline looming next week to be activated from the injured list, Aaron Rodgers began ramping up his activity in practice in the past two days.
Rodgers, who is attempting to make it back this season from September surgery to repair a torn left Achilles, took snaps under center and participated in 7-on-7 drills Thursday — even running a few bootlegs — according to Jets coach Robert Saleh.
The rehabbing Rodgers also impressed teammates with his leaping ability while catching the ball during Friday’s session in Florham Park.
“He pushed it a little bit [Thursday],” Saleh said before practice. “He went under center, he’s running boots and jogging from drill to drill, and he looks normal to me. … It’s unbelievable.”
Rodgers, who officially has been listed as out for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, must be activated by Wednesday at the end of a 21-day window to return to the roster, or else he will be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Saleh said the next step for the four-time MVP will be to participate in 11-on-11 drills, but he wouldn’t disclose when that might take place.
Rodgers had said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that “there are still some things I gotta do in order to be able to be cleared,” and he attempted to downplay reports that he is targeting a Christmas Eve return against the Commanders.
The 10-time Pro Bowler has maintained all season that his comeback this year would be dependent on the Jets’ status in the playoff race.
They are 5-8 entering Sunday’s game against the first-place Dolphins in Miami.
“Credit to him, especially in this day and age, where a hangnail can affect a game week, but this dude is grinding to get himself back,” Saleh said. “It just shows how much he cares, and I have an appreciation for him.”
After a two-week benching, Zach Wilson started and threw for 301 yards in last week’s 30-6 win over the Texans, and he will make his second straight start Sunday.
Still, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said Rodgers has been “moving great” in practice and has been offering “great insight” to his teammates.
Garrett Wilson also shared that the veteran quarterback even jumped to haul in a return throw during a passing drill Friday.
Other players told ESPN that Rodgers also made a leaping interception while working out with the scout-team defense.
“It’s kind of scary. I was like, ‘Chill.’ That’s what I wanted to say to him, but he looks ahead of schedule, for sure,” Wilson said. “He’s special, man. I’m not amazed just because I knew he put his mind to put an emphasis on his recovery, and he’s gone about it the right way to get to this point.
“It’s definitely impressive seeing him out there and the progress he’s made in such a short time. Like I said, man, he’s special. The mindset, the way he goes about his treatment, all of a sudden you find yourself back ready to play here pretty soon. It’s crazy.”
Asked if he expects Rodgers to make it back to the playing field in a game this year, Wilson replied, “I don’t, but seeing his recovery, it’s like he might, he could. I don’t put any thought into it just because we gotta worry about what we got going on here, who’s taking the field.”
That won’t be Rodgers this weekend, but he’s clearly making enough progress that the possibility remains open.
“When he’s throwing it, man, he looks special. It looks like Aaron Rodgers,” Wilson said. “But I’m trying not to put too much thought into it.”
