Aaron Rodgers, at least for now, is still the New York Jets starting quarterback.
Rodgers, despite the Jets struggles and his apparent injuries in recent weeks, will “absolutely” be the teams starting quarterback on Sunday in their game against the Seattle Seahawks. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday that Rodgers is the healthiest hes been in the past month coming off their bye week, and the team isnt yet considering shutting him down for the rest of the season.
Ulbrich also denied knowing anything about reports that Rodgers has been resisting medical scans offered by the Jets. The NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that Rodgers didnt want to reveal the severity of his injuries out of fear of having to come off the field, which is why he apparently has denied the medical scans.
While Ulbrich didnt say the report was inaccurate, he insisted he knew nothing about it.
“News to me,” Ulbrich said, via ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
This season has not gone well for Rodgers or the Jets, who are now committed to a full rebuild after firing both their head coach and general manager. The Jets sit at just 3-8 headed into Sundays game, and theyve lost seven of their last eight. Rodgers has thrown for 2,442 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season, his first full one with the Jets after he went down with an Achilles injury just four plays into his first game with the organization last season.
The 40-year-old has dealt with numerous injuries this season, too. He sustained a knee injury, a significant hamstring injury and a low ankle sprain, though hes played through all of them. Rodgers has been described as banged up by Rapoport, which is a very general term, but its unclear how severe those injuries actually are especially if Rodgers is indeed refusing to undergo testing.
While Rodgers future with the organization isnt clear, and the team is all but certain to miss the playoffs this season, Rodgers will take the field on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. What happens next, for both him and the Jets as a whole, is still anybodys guess.