Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced announced Wednesday that Rodgers (Achilles) has been designated for return from injured reserve.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction officially opens up a 21-day window in which Rodgers can participate in practices while the Jets evaluate him for a return from IR. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Saleh noted that while Rodgers has been cleared for functional football activity, the veteran quarterback is not yet ready to take contact just over two and a half months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left Achilles' tendon. Rodgers is thus slated to be a limited participant in practices, and he's uncertain to be activated from IR once the evaluation window closes in three weeks. In any case, Wednesday's move is at least another step forward in Rodgers potentially playing again this season, though the 39-year-old has suggested that any return will hinge on the 4-7 Jets remaining in playoff contention in the weeks to come.

Rodgers (Achilles) said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he's "not at an ability to play at this point" but noted that he's still not ruling out a return to game action in 2023 so long as the Jets remain in playoff contention, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

While going into detail about his rehab, Rodgers said that he's now back at the Jets' facility on a full-time basis and has resumed running on an anti-gravity treadmill. The veteran QB noted that his next step is to resume throwing to his teammates and going through the individual portions of practice, something that Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously reported could happen as soon as this week. Before Rodgers is eligible to take part in individual work at practice, the Jets will have to designate him for return from IR, opening a 21-day window in which to evaluate him for a return to the 53-man roster. Since Rodgers would likely need the entire three weeks to get himself in position to play, he's believed to be targeting a return for the team's Christmas Eve matchup with the Commanders. However, the Jets have lost four games in a row and hold a 4-7 record, and if they continue to fade from playoff contention, Rodgers will likely turn his focus toward getting back to 100 percent in time for New York's offseason program.

Rodgers (Achilles) is in New York, pushing to get back to practice, but still has to get the team doctor's clearance before he can resume practice, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."

EDGE Analysis

The implication here is that Rodgers is pushing hard to come back, but he might be pushing too hard, too soon. In such a scenario, the doctors might be "saving Rodgers from himself."The Jets have already announced that Tim Boyle will start again in Week 13, and Rodgers is targeting Week 16 as a potential return.

Rodgers (Achilles) said Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show that he's aiming to return to practice before his 40th birthday on Dec. 2, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported over the weekend that Rodgers was targeting the Jets' Dec. 24 against Washington in Week 16 for his return to game action, so Dec. 2 would seemingly represent his target date for being designated for return from injured reserve. The Jets' quarterback situation during Rodgers' absence has grown even more dire following the benching of Zach Wilson in the team's Week 11 loss to Buffalo, with the loss dropping the team's record to 4-6. With Wilson having since been dropped to third on the depth chart, the Jets will turn to Tim Boyle as their new starter with the hope that he can keep the team's playoff hopes afloat on the remote chance that Rodgers is possibly healthy enough to return for a late-season playoff push. If Rodgers -- who recently resumed jogging on an anti-gravity treadmill -- is improbably cleared to play Week 16, it would represent a remarkable three-and-a-half-month recovery from Achilles surgery.

Rodgers (Achilles) is reportedly eyeing a potential return in mid-December, with the Jets' Week 16 game against the Commanders being a possible target, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

A mid-December return would represent a three-month recovery from Achilles surgery -- nearly two months ahead of the fastest known return that any NFL player has made from a similar injury. Even if Rodgers ends up gaining clearance Week 16 or later, any return to action would presumably hinge on whether he can protect himself on the field, as well as where the Jets -- currently 4-5 heading into Sunday's game in Buffalo -- sit in the AFC playoff picture. For the time being, Zach Wilson remains the team's starting quarterback.

Rodgers (Achilles) said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show that he expects to return later in the season, but he's not targeting a specific date, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, NBC's Melissa Stark reported Sunday night that Rodgers had mentioned a possible mid-December return, but it appears the quarterback is taking things one step at a time. The four-time MVP suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 against the Bills and was initially expected to miss his entire inaugural season with the Jets, but the team has stayed optimistic Rodgers might get back onto the field this season if it could stay in the playoff hunt. The Jets dropped to 4-5 after losing to the Raiders on Sunday night, but they face a reeling Bills team on the road in Week 11.

Rodgers (Achilles) told NBC's Melissa Stark on Sunday that his goal is to return from injured reserve in mid-December, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

A return prior to January from the torn Achilles that Rodgers suffered in Week 1 against the Bills is highly unlikely, but the quarterback is optimistic that he'll be back earlier than most experts expect. If he indeed manages to return in mid-December, Rodgers could contribute to a potential playoff push, as the Jets entered Sunday's game against the Raiders at 4-4. New York's Dec. 17 game against the Dolphins in Week 15 is the the team's fourth-to-last game of the season.

Rodgers (Achilles) was spotted throwing prior to Monday's game against the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

As he's done before at least one other game since tearing his left Achilles in Week 1, Rodgers made at least a handful of tosses, only this time he was doing so after taking three-step drops, per Judy Battista of NFL Network. Rodgers also made some 50-yard throws, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show last Tuesday, Rodgers said that he hasn't started jogging yet, but he's able to walk without discomfort. There does seem to be a slight chance that Rodgers will be able to play again this season, but he's also admitted that the Jets need to be in the mix for the playoffs in order to return. In the meantime, Zach Wilson will continue to lead New York's offense.

Rodgers (Achilles) said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he's not yet jogging, but he is able to walk without any discomfort, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rodgers added that he's able to do calf-raising exercises and put "legitimate" weight on his surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon, leaving him optimistic that he'll be able to play again this season. However, Rodgers emphasized that he still has many checkpoints to hit in his recovery and noted that the Jets need to be "alive" in order for him to take the field. Given that the 39-year-old Rodgers underwent surgery Sept. 13 and is working his way back from an injury that typically entails a 6-to-9-month recovery period, the Jets will likely need to make a deep playoff run just for the veteran quarterback to have an outside shot at being available to play.

Rodgers (Achilles) threw on the field for approximately five minutes prior to the Jets' 20-14 win over the Eagles on Sunday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Rodgers was in a stationary position while throwing, he was notably stepping into each pass while putting weight on his surgically repaired left Achilles' tendon. While Achilles injuries often entail a 6-to-9-month recovery, the 39-year-old has remained adamant since having his surgery Sept. 13 that he'll beat the typical timeline and make it back on the field at some point during the 2023 season. Since he's already moving about without crutches, Rodgers may be further along in his rehab process than most players one month removed from surgery, but he still has several more critical checkpoints to hit in his recovery before the team seriously entertains activating him from injured reserve. In all likelihood, the Jets would have to qualify for the playoffs and make a deep postseason run for Rodgers to become a realistic option to play.