Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says he 'was hurting' but feels 'better' ahead of TNF vs. Texans

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Oct 29, 2024

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers has dealt with an ankle, a knee, and a hamstring injury during the first eight weeks of the season.

But despite the short week, Rodgers says he feels good heading into Thursday’s game against the Houston Texans.

“I don’t know what it is about these Thursdays, but I made it to the game without any issues, and I feel much better,” Rodgers told the media on Tuesday.

Rodgers said Jets punter Thomas Morstead introduced him to “the fountain of youth,” which consists of cayenne pepper and water. According to livestrong.com, cayenne pepper can help relieve headaches, migraines, and other types of pain.

At the almost halfway point of the 2024 season, Rodgers has not looked remotely close to the same player he was during his 18 seasons with the Packers. In eight games, Rodgers has thrown for 1,896 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Along with the Jets’ 2-6 record and a five-game losing streak, this is Rodgers’ lowest passer rating (85.1) and total number of touchdowns in the first eight games of any season of his 20-year career.

In addition to his struggles, the Jets offense has yet to play up to expectations. Currently, Gang Green ranks 24th in yards (310.6) and 25th in points per game (18.8).

The Jets are coming off the lowest point of the season, losing 25-22 to a Patriots team that had previously lost six games in a row. Not to mention, backup Jacoby Brissett played most of the game after starting quarterback Drake Maye suffered a concussion.

Against New England, Rodgers, who was sacked once, finished the game with 233 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-28 passing attempts. He has not had a single rushing attempt in four consecutive games.

“I think he’s struggling right now,” Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said about Rodgers after the game. “Just a Hall of Fame quarterback like that, hate to see him go out that way but always gonna take a win against him, look good on your resume.

“But, yeah, he definitely don’t look the same. You just don’t know if he could move back there. S–t I can run him down and catch him. He don’t look mobile at all. So it was good for us. We know we can get after him and attack him in the passing game too. So, you know, glad to come out here with the win.”

Rodgers said he didn’t hear Godchaux’s comments but agreed with him.

“I was hurting, but I feel better today,” Rodgers said. “My schedule is I’m here when I’m here and I’m doing rehab. When I go home and I do more rehab.

“I’m kind of taking care of myself nonstop. If you look at the game, I only got hit a couple of times, got sacked once, I really didn’t move a whole lot. That was probably part of it.

“But I expect to do a lot more this week and I will be under center. And hopefully, be faster than Godchaux’s speed.”

With nine games to go and last in the AFC East, the Jets have little margin for error the rest of the season. Starting the season 2-6 is usually the kiss of death when it comes to qualifying for the playoffs.

Since 1966, only three teams (1970 Bengals, 2020 Commanders, and 2022 Jaguars) have made the postseason after beginning the season with six losses in their first eight games.

“The way the season is and we are a couple of plays from 4-4, a couple more from 5-3, and a couple more from 6-2,” Rodgers said. “The reality is we are 2-6. Backs are against the wall and we gotta make some plays and win some games.”

Zurelein remains Jets Kicker for now

Despite his recent struggles, Greg Zuerlein is still the Jets kicker. However, he mysteriously appeared on Tuesday’s Jets’ injury report without any mention from interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

However, Zane Gonzalez, Brayden Narveson, Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader, Andre Szmyt, and Cade York were the kickers who worked out for the Jets on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium, according to NFL Network.

But no decision has been made about Zuerlein or another kicker at this time.

“These next couple of days, we are going to see where we are at,” Ulbrich said. “Create as much stress and competition for the guys that are here and make a decision the next couple of days before the game.”

In the loss against the Patriots, Zuerlein missed an extra point and a 44-yard field goal. He has missed six field goals and two extra points in eight games. Last season, Zuerlein only missed three field goals and one extra point.

“The fact that it’s a quick turnaround is a big part of that,” Ulbrich said about evaluating Zuerlein on a short week. “There’s a synergy between a snapper, a kicker, and a punter and the holder. Just making sure that that is right, you know, before we make a decision that might be a harmful to the team.”

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