Don’t bank on seeing Aaron Rodgers in a preseason game.
Any thoughts that Rodgers might want to test out his rehabbed torn Achilles against a live pass rush before the Jets’ games count for real were almost entirely put to bed Tuesday by head coach Robert Saleh when he was asked if the quarterback will play before Week 1.
“My instinct is no,” Saleh said, “but I want to leave it open. That the third game is the one where we’re deciding.”
It sounds as if Saleh is leaving the door slightly ajar in case Rodgers pushes him to play, which is what happened last season under different circumstances.
Back then, Rodgers wanted a tune-up as a way to build chemistry with his new teammates after being traded from the Packers.
Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson on his second and final series against the Giants last preseason.
If he talks his way into the lineup against Saleh’s better judgment – a season-opening injury to Rodgers could derail a playoffs-or-bust season – it again will be against the Giants (on Aug. 24) and not against either the Commanders (Aug. 10) or Panthers (Aug. 17).
“He definitely won’t play in the first two,” Saleh said. “The discussion on the third one we just haven’t quite had yet.”
Saleh is considering playing some cemented starters such as safety Chuck Clark, who is returning from a missed season due to a torn ACL.
But the Jets will have one joint practice against each of their three preseason opponents before the game.
“Those preseason practices are so game-like,” Saleh said. “The only difference is you are not tackling, so we feel comfortable we are getting the game-like reps we need in a controlled environment.”