Rome Sentinel

Jets QB Rodgers over calf issue and practicing, providing some ‘wow’ moments

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw some pretty passes at practice. Cameras clicked. Reporters tweeted.

Relax, Jets fans. All is right again.

Rodgers participated in practice for the first time in front of the media Tuesday after a strained calf kept him out of the sessions the past two weeks when reporters were in attendance.

“There’s been some ‘wow’ moments,” coach Robert Saleh said. “I’m sure there will be a heck of a lot more.”

The 39-year-old Rodgers, acquired by New York from Green Bay in April, tweaked his right calf during warmups on May 23 — the first practice open to reporters since the trade.

He was mostly a spectator last Tuesday when the media returned, spending time with trainers and on the stationary bike before throwing some passes on the side.

Rodgers got back on the field last Friday, and has been practicing since. The four-time NFL MVP still isn’t a full participant just yet, though. He’s doing everything — drills, 7-on-7s, two-minute plays, red zone — except for 11-on-11 team drills.

“Anything team, where people are going to be around his legs, we’ve been holding him out on that stuff,” Saleh said.

A few dozen reporters and TV camera crews were back in full force Tuesday after the Jets tweeted a few throws from Rodgers in practice Monday — including a perfectly placed spiral to tight end C.J. Uzomah.

“That was a dirty throw,” Saleh said.

On Tuesday, Rodgers misfired on a short pass to Uzomah, but then bounced back with short touchdown tosses to Garrett Wilson — a back-shoulder fade — and undrafted rookie Jason Brownlee.

“He’s just got tremendous vision,” Saleh said. “He can see it all. He’s got so much experience. I mean, you give him that much, you’re wide open.”

It’s still only June, of course, and training camp isn’t for another six weeks — and the regular-season opener is three months away. But Rodgers continues to make an early impact on his new teammates.

“He makes a difference with his confidence, he makes a difference with his communication and he makes a difference with his high level of play,” left guard Laken Tomlinson said. “It’s truly special working with someone of that caliber and it makes everyone be on their A-game every day.”

And it’s not just on offense where Rodgers is having that effect while helping coordinator Nathaniel Hackett install his system.

“It’s a different vibe,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “He sets the bar. He sets expectations with his resume, with his name and the way he approaches the game every single day. Just speaking as a linebacker and as a defense, it’s not every day you get to go against a future Hall of Fame quarterback.

“You get to test your skills, your knowledge and your ability every single day. As a defensive player, we’re honored and, honestly, really blessed just to be able to be in this situation to try to grow as a better defense together and as a team.”

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2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://romesentinel.pressreader.com/article/282054806428317

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