Aaron Rodgers is at MetLife Stadium for Sunday’s NFL game between the Jets and the Giants. He appears to have made another huge step forward in his recovery from a torn Achilles.
The 39-year-old credits the power of his mind and “innovative surgery” for getting him back on the field so quickly. Whatever it is that is responsible, it’s working.
Rodgers was able to walk without crutches less than one month after he suffered his injury, but still needed crutches. The crutches were no longer necessary on Oct. 15 — when the four-time MVP was seen throwing a football on the field in New Jersey.
That was the case again this weekend, with a new twist.
When Rodgers first played catch earlier this month, he was stationary. Minor movement allowed him to plant and throw.
Sunday’s pregame workout saw him mimic a drop back in the pocket as he threw. It was a short, three-stop drop, but a drop-back is a drop-back!
To make it even more impressive, there did not appear to be any element of a limp.
Aaron Rodgers is WAY ahead of schedule!
I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be. I can only go off of what medical experts say on the topic.
Aaron Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon during Week 1 on Sept. 11. Had surgery on Sept. 13.
Sunday’s date is Oct. 29. 46 days (6.5 weeks) have passed since his “speed bridge” procedure.
Typically, it takes players 9-12 months to recover from surgery for a torn Achilles tendon. Rodgers has hope of getting back on the field this season.
According to the Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, male patients aged 30-50 who suffered a torn achilles typically require at least two weeks of immobilization. From there, a walking boot is necessary for about eight weeks. Around the two-month mark, patients “begin to wean out of boot” and “initiate walking in shoe/natural ankle position.”
Hospital for Special Surgery says that it is “usually about six to nine months before you return to all activities, such as running or jumping.” It echoes Wexner’s timeline for a walking boot.
Rodgers is less than two months into his recovery. The boot is long gone.
Although he is not running or jumping — which typically takes at least six months — he’s already dropping back and bearing full weight on his Achilles… in less than two months. That’s not normal!