Aaron Rodgers's injury was quite a way to kickoff the NFL season. The only thing that would be even bigger is his return, which is getting closer and closer each week.
The quarterback was supposed to turn the Jets into a Super Bowl contender. But in his first drive of the season opener against the Bills, he was sacked and tore his Achilles. Rodgers was expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Just a few days later, he underwent an experimental surgery that would heal him in time to return by the end of the season. It's seemed that Rodgers has done so; he's been practicing with the Jets since late November.
And now, he's expected to be medically cleared to return for gameplay, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Jets have until Wednesday to clear Rodgers, otherwise he cannot be activated at all for the rest of the season. They are likely to do so, but whether he will actually play is a different story.
MORE: Aaron Rodgers injury timeline: Jets QB 'ahead of schedule' in Achilles injury recovery
Will Aaron Rodgers play this year?
New York travels to Miami Sunday afternoon for an AFC matchup in Week 15. The outcome of that game will reportedly all but determine whether Rodgers plays again this season.
The Jets have primarily stuck with Zach Wilson at QB since Rodgers' injury. But the third-year player hasn't been an effective replacement, as New York is 5-8 and 13th in the AFC playoff standings. The odds that it's still in the playoff picture are slim, though not technically zero. However, a loss to the Dolphins would nearly mathematically eliminate the Jets from the postseason, and there's a chance depending on the outcomes of other games the Jets could be officially eliminated by the end of the weekend.
In which case, Rodgers would likely not play in Week 16 against the Commanders. His recovery has been remarkable, as it typically takes NFL players nine months minimum to recovery from an Achilles tear. Allowed the 40-year old QB to do the impossible and play this season would risk irreparable damage and simply be reckless, especially if the Jets are mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs.
Rodgers' returned to practice on Nov. 29, but those have not included quick game-like motions like escaping the pocket or pass rushers.
MORE: Aaron Rodgers back at practice after Achilles injury
"... If the answer is yes, then we move in that direction, but if the answer is no, I have to listen to my body. I still have to be cleared by everybody at that point, but it's health first and then, 'Are we alive for the playoffs?' second."
Jets playoff odds
According to Sporting News' projection model, the Jets enter their Week 15 game against the Dolphins with a 0.1 percent chance of making the playoffs. They are projected to finish with a 7-10 record.