A boisterous crowd and millions of television viewers eagerly awaited Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets debut as he ran onto the field carrying an American flag.
It was over in a flash.
After only four snaps, Rodgers’ season was over.
Once it was discovered that Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon, those attainable Super Bowl dreams for long-suffering Jets supporters turned into yet another nightmare.
The four-time NFL MVP will not be starting for the Jets this season, despite an impressive comeback victory over the turnover-prone Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
For New York, Rodgers could go his entire career without ever completing a pass.
Players who have recently undergone Achilles tendon repair face a difficult and protracted recovery process. Rodgers would be attempting a comeback at the age of 40 if he chooses to play.
It’s unclear if he’ll even want to come back considering that he’s thought about retiring in recent years.
Players typically need 9 to 12 months to recover from surgery for an Achilles tendon tear.
The return of some athletes was earlier.
According to studies, age is the best indicator of recovery from an Achilles repair, according to Dr. Peter DeLuca, the chief of sports medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and a former team doctor for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Flyers for more than 20 years.
The odds are not in his favor, but there are other factors that can come into play, such as a tendon that has already started to degenerate, and there can always be exceptions, especially given his excellent physical condition.
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By minicamp in the spring of 2019, in DeLuca’s estimation, Rodgers would be able to throw, and he “should definitely” be able to play in Week 1 in 2024.
According to DeLuca, 75% of NFL players who have had their Achilles repaired are able to play again.
“After the first year back, their performance level declines, but after two to three years, it returns to its previous level.
There are no statistics specifically addressing a quarterback despite the fact that they are published for position players.
In my opinion, this injury won’t have an impact on his throwing, but it will slow him down when he runs.
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Rodgers injured his calf during training camp and later tore his Achilles tendon.
A few years ago, 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant experienced the same thing.
Calf injuries and ruptured Achilles tendons, according to DeLuca, are unrelated.
According to DeLuca, there is “low to very little evidence in the literature that prior muscle injury is a risk factor for ruptured Achilles tendons.”.
“Anecdotally, I had two players who had calf strains, rehabbed for six weeks, had an MRI that revealed a completely healed strain, who ruptured their Achilles their first game back.
Although these tales are common, this observation is not supported by the literature.
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The following is a list of several top athletes who, in their 30s, tore their Achilles tendon but later made a full recovery.
KOBE BRYANT: On April 12, 2013, the future Hall of Famer in basketball tore his Achilles tendon.
He underwent surgery the following day and made his court debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1. 8, 2013, at age 35.
Bryant only participated in six games before suffering a knee injury that forced him to sit out the remainder of the campaign.
In only 35 games in 2014–15, Bryant averaged 22 points per game, and in 66 games in 2015–16, he averaged 17 points per game.
KEVIN DURANT: On June 13, 2019, while playing for Golden State in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the two-time MVP suffered an Achilles tendon tear.
In December, he rejoined the Brooklyn Nets after missing the entire previous campaign. 22, 2020, at age 32.
The three seasons since the injury, Durant has averaged 28.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
He hasn’t played more than 55 games in any season since his return, but he has still been outstanding.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins tore his Achilles tendon in January.
28, 1992. On November, he returned to the court playing for the Atlanta Hawks. Exactly two months before turning 33, on June 6, 1992. Wilkins played for seven more years, including two overseas seasons, averaging 29 points per game.
Brandon Graham, a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, tore his Achilles tendon on September.
19 in 2021 and returned for the start of the season on Sept.
11, 2022, at age 34.
Graham recorded a career-high 11 sacks last season, which was his best season as a professional.
On the final pitch of a postseason series in October, RYAN HOWARD—the NL MVP in 2006—torn his Achilles tendon. 7, 2011.
On July 6, 2012, Howard, then 32 years old, joined the Philadelphia Phillies’ starting lineup.
But the big slugger was never quite the same.
In the six years prior to getting hurt, Howard averaged 44 home runs and 133 RBIs. Over the next five, he had an average of 19/66.