-
Wealthy Cimini, ESPN Workers Author
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, nursing a calf damage, threw on the facet and spent most of Wednesday’s apply teaching up teammates. Operating again Breece Hall was off on a facet area, rehabbing his surgically repaired knee.
Rodgers, who strained his proper calf final week, is predicted to return by subsequent week. Corridor has a methods to go, however the Jets envision him taking handoffs from Rodgers after they open the season Sept. 11 towards the Buffalo Bills.
“I am very optimistic,” coach Robert Saleh stated of Corridor’s potential availability for Week 1. “I do not need to jinx it” — he knocked on his wooden podium — “however, I imply, the child’s already hitting 22 (mph) on the GPS. He seems freaking good.”
Corridor and Rodgers are arguably the 2 most vital gamers on the Jets’ offense. They won’t apply collectively till late August — Corridor shall be restricted in coaching camp — however the aim is to ensure the backfield tandem is clicking for the common season, not the preseason.
Rodgers has missed 4 straight practices after tweaking his calf whereas warming up for the second apply final Tuesday. He downplayed the damage, saying it was nothing severe. The hope is that he returns for the following OTA session (Friday), in response to Saleh.
“Yeah, he is effective, simply doing a bunch of rehab,” stated Saleh, including they’re “simply hoping to ease him again in. Hopefully, [we] get him full on Friday, for certain subsequent week.”
Rodgers was engaged throughout apply, staying near the motion in every interval. At occasions, he was seen giving instruction to younger receivers and working backs. Throughout warmups, off to the facet, he placed on a passing present, making 50-yard throws to a member of the workers. After a dozen or so rockets, he moved 10 yards nearer and unleashed a number of 40-yard ropes.
His 39-year-old proper arm seems effective. His perspective has impressed everybody, together with the participant who is aware of him one of the best — huge receiver Randall Cobb, who just lately signed a one-year contract. Cobb, who spent 10 seasons with Rodgers in Inexperienced Bay, stated his previous quarterback has exhibited a sure “freshness.”
“I do not understand how lengthy you all have been in your jobs, however may you think about being someplace for 18 years after which going elsewhere, one thing totally different, a brand new setting, new individuals, totally different state of affairs? That sparks one thing totally different in you. “You positively see that on his face, simply the best way he goes about issues. He is nonetheless the identical him, however on the similar time, he is studying new individuals and he is in a brand new setting. That freshness brings one thing totally different.”
Rodgers’ job shall be quite a bit simpler if Corridor returns to his 2022 kind. As a rookie, he rushed for 463 yards and a 5.8 common in seven video games earlier than season-ending ACL surgical procedure in October. His rehab shall be one of many large storylines in coaching camp.
Saleh gave probably the most encouraging progress report back to date.
“I really feel like he will not have to be restricted throughout coaching camp regardless that he nonetheless will, simply to be conscientious and cautious with him,” Saleh stated. “However he seems superior.”
Corridor, who turned 22 on Wednesday, was extra tempered than Saleh when discussing Week 1, saying, “I will be prepared once I’ll be prepared. Clearly, I hope I am prepared, however you by no means know. I am taking it every week at a time and let my knee do what it does.”
Corridor stated he seen “glimpses” of his pre-injury kind a few weeks in the past, when he was working and slicing on the sphere. He believes he has the potential to be one of many prime working backs within the league, and he does not need to jeopardize his future by returning too quickly. He has consulted with a handful of star runners, together with the New York Giants‘ Saquon Barkley, which have returned from ACL surgical procedure.
“All people — myself, the coaches, my teammates — needs me to be prepared for Week 1,” Corridor stated. “However on the similar time, it’s important to come again while you really feel such as you’re prepared. I am going to simply know.”
In different developments, the Jets renegotiated security Jordan Whitehead‘s contract, creating $5.3 million in cap room. Saleh, in the meantime, all however dismissed the opportunity of pursuing free-agent huge receiver DeAndre Hopkins, saying, “Nah, we love our present group.”