When is Aaron Rodgers coming back? Jets QB's injury updates, return timeline for 2023

The Jets QB room is an Achilles' heel, thanks to an Achilles tear. That might not be the case for too much longer.

If you haven't heard, Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in the Jets' Week 1 win over the Bills. For any mere mortal, an Achilles injury would be season-ending, but if you've seen Aaron Rodgers ever throw a football, the "mere mortal" thing might be a stretch.

The Jets passer has made it abundantly clear that his intention is to return to the field in 2023, an assertion that's been eyebrow-raising to those who are familiar with the lengthy rehab process following surgery to repair a torn Achilles.

Still, the quarterback's public comments and videos that have surfaced of his weekly progression have allowed for a big "maybe" when it comes to a 2023 return – and that may be enough to keep the Jets' playoff hopes alive.

Here's what to know about Rodgers' potential return in 2023:

'I expect to come back'

During his Nov. 14 appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Rodgers clarified a report made during the NBC broadcast of the Week 10 Jets-Raiders game that he was planning for a return to the field in mid-December, which would be just three months after his injury.

Rodgers stressed that he didn't say anything definitive and added that New York's performance will dictate whether he becomes available for a playoff push. Said another way: If the Jets are no longer in contention, Rodgers will wait until next year.

"There’s no set date," Rodgers said. "It could change. If I have a great week this week and next week, that could be accelerated. If we are not in it in three or four weeks, that could take it a different way, but I expect us to be in it and I expect to come back, so that's about all I can tell you at this point."

Rodgers also added that he plans to to return to the Jets facility "full-time real soon" to participate in meetings, film sessions and other team activities.

"There’s not a lot of people that have the unique situation that I was in," Rodgers said on McAfee's show. "I got hurt on the first drive of the season. I don’t want to retire. I want to come back. I got the best doctor in the country. My full-time job is rehab. And my mindset from the morning after the injury, before I even got surgery, was, 'I'm going to try to do something that nobody has done before.' So I poured my entire energy and research into this."

When is Aaron Rodgers coming back?

If Rodgers is cleared and ready to go, then he could potentially be on the field for the Jets' Dec. 17 matchup vs. the Dolphins in Miami. If not, then a Christmas Eve matchup vs. the Commanders could be on the table.

That said, it's not exactly a foregone conclusion that Rodgers is back on the field. Head coach Robert Saleh still won't commit to Rodgers' return strategy.

"I don't know — if the doctors clear him, then we'll clear him," Saleh said following the Jets' loss to the Raiders.

Saleh's message is one he reiterated following the game, saying Rodgers is a "big boy" and will make his own decision on returning; that is, once he's cleared by doctors.

"Aaron's a big boy, a grown man, and no one's going to know Aaron's body like Aaron knows his body," Saleh said on Nov. 15. "And if he feels after all the doctors clear him — I'm sure there's a million of them, I have no idea — but if Aaron says he wants to play, he's going to play."

Following the Jets' 27-6 Week 9 "Monday Night Football" loss to the Chargers, cameras caught Rodgers telling Chargers safety Derwin James, "give me a few weeks" in regards to a return. If that seemed a little too good to be true, it apparently was.

Speaking on the Nov. 7 edition of "The Pat McAfee Show," Rodgers clarified that his comments were "tongue-in-cheek" and that it's not "a realistic timeline." Still, he offered something of a bit vague timeline for a potential return.

"It's gonna be a few fortnights – it'll be a few fortnights," Rodgers said.

Aaron Rodgers remains on injured reserve as of Nov. 13, but he can be activated at any time and play soon after, with his 21-day practice window opening once he's activated.

Still, Rodgers has made it clear, through his own words, that he is angling for a return in 2023.

Aaron Rodgers injury updates

Rodgers has been adamant that his rehab process is on or ahead of schedule in various interviews with McAfee, his only public speaking appearances since his injury in Week 1. On Oct. 15, Rodgers made a return to the MetLife Stadium field, where he was seen throwing passes without the aid of crutches prior the Jets win over the Eagles.

Since then, Rodgers has been at Jets home games, and has seemed more and more spry while throwing passes pregame. In Week 9, Rodgers was going as far as to drop back while throwing passes.

While Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been non-committal on a Rodgers return this year, if the quarterback is honest about potential return date, then Jets fans will be in for a heck of an early Christmas gift.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: When will Jets' Aaron Rodgers return? Injury updates, timeline