NFL: Jets lose Aaron Rodgers to Achilles injury, rally to stun Bills in OT
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is tended to on the sector throughout the first quarter of an NFL soccer sport towards the Buffalo Payments, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photograph/Seth Wenig)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets pulled off certainly one of their most enjoyable and unlikely victories in years — and nonetheless couldn’t fully get pleasure from it.
Not with understanding they could should go the remainder of the best way with out their chief.
Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the Jets’ 22-16 extra time win over the Buffalo Payments simply 4 snaps into his debut on Monday night time with what coach Robert Saleh mentioned is believed to be an injured left Achilles tendon.
“It caught us off guard,” cornerback Sauce Gardner mentioned. “However we devoted profitable the sport to him.”
Rodgers was sacked by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd and fell awkwardly on the leg. Saleh mentioned the 39-year-old Rodgers would have the MRI on Tuesday after X-rays throughout the sport have been adverse.
“Involved along with his Achilles,” a somber Saleh mentioned. “MRI might be going to verify what we expect goes to occur, so prayers tonight. But it surely’s not good.”
It forged a pall over the sport — gained when rookie Xavier Gipson returned a punt 65 yards for a landing — and maybe the Jets’ season.
“It has been a curler coaster of feelings,” Gardner mentioned.
New York’s aggressive protection compelled 4 turnovers from Buffalo’s Josh Allen, who was picked off thrice by Jordan Whitehead in a wild and sometimes ugly season opener.
“We made it fairly onerous on ourselves,” Payments coach Sean McDermott mentioned. “If you flip the ball over 4 occasions, it’s onerous to win on this league. You’re taking part in two opponents: the one on the opposite sideline and your self. That’s what we did tonight and that’s not the suitable components to win video games.”
New York Jets security Jordan Whitehead (3) intercepts a cross in the long run zone towards the Buffalo Payments huge receiver Stefon Diggs (14) throughout the third quarter of an NFL soccer sport, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photograph/Adam Starvation)
With the sport tied, Micheal Clemons compelled a fumble by Allen that was recovered by Quinnen Williams, establishing Greg Zuerlein’s third discipline purpose — a 30-yarder — with 1:48 remaining to place the Jets forward for the primary time.
However Allen and the Payments had simply sufficient time to get in scoring place once more, and Tyler Bass’ 50-yard kick hit the left upright earlier than going over the crossbar to tie it at 16 with 2 seconds left in regulation.
After Buffalo went three-and-out to begin extra time, Sam Martin punted 42 yards and Gipson fielded it, made a number of strikes early after which scampered down the left sideline, made a pair extra cuts and zipped into the top zone to set off an enormous celebration by his teammates.
Saleh was there to swarm Gipson, an undrafted rookie from Stephen F. Austin who made the workforce out of coaching camp.
“They’ve given me the chance and given me the prospect,” Gipson mentioned. “I suppose it was my time. My time got here to gentle.”
It was the third punt return for a TD in extra time in NFL historical past, with Gipson becoming a member of Arizona’s Patrick Peterson (2011) and Kansas Metropolis’s Tamarick Vanover (1995).
In the meantime, Allen tied a profession excessive along with his 4 turnovers and fell to 0-5 in extra time, together with playoff video games.
“I price our workforce tonight,” mentioned Allen, who was 29 of 41 for 236 yards and a landing to Stefon Diggs. “It sucks whenever you really feel like the rationale, and I’m the rationale we misplaced.”
The Jets had tied it at 13 with 4:55 left on an acrobatic catch by Garrett Wilson, who tipped Zach Wilson’s cross to himself along with his proper hand — and Tre’Davious White draped throughout him — and corralled the ball as he fell on his again in the long run zone.
An evening that started with optimism for the Jets turned disappointing earlier than the sport was even 4 minutes previous.
After a 26-yard run by Breece Corridor on the Jets’ opening play, Rodgers threw his first cross away after getting heavy stress from Greg Rousseau. Rodgers threw incomplete on the subsequent play, however Terrel Bernard was known as for defensive holding.
Then, Rodgers tried to keep away from a dashing Floyd, who wrapped up the quarterback and took him all the way down to the MetLife Stadium turf. Rodgers appeared to succeed in down at his leg earlier than trainers attended to him. He stood up after a number of moments, however wanted assist attending to New York’s sideline.
Rodgers was taken to the blue medical tent to be examined — after which sat on a cart. Midway to the locker room, he hopped off the cart and limped inside.
Zach Wilson changed him simply 3:45 into the sport. Wilson, who completed 14 of 21 for 140 yards, together with the TD cross, and an interception, is anticipated to begin subsequent Sunday at Dallas.
“My job as a quarterback is I’ve bought to step up,” Wilson mentioned. “I’ve bought to be as environment friendly as I can in that offense. Simply quite a lot of feelings.”
HALL’S BACK
After Bass’ 40-yard discipline purpose on Buffalo’s second offensive collection put the Payments up 3-0, Zuerlein tied it with a 26-yarder to cap a drive jump-started by an 83-yard run by Corridor. The second-year working again had his rookie season lower quick final yr in Week 7 when he tore the ACL in his left knee.
He spent the offseason working towards a comeback and made it to the opening sport — and confirmed he’s wholesome simply 11 months after a significant knee damage.
He completed with 127 yards on 10 carries.
OH, BROTHER!
Dalvin Prepare dinner made his Jets debut, dashing for 33 yards on 13 carries and catching three passes for 26 yards. He additionally bought bragging rights once more on his brother James, a Payments working again.
James Prepare dinner, who’s 5 years youthful, had 46 yards on 12 carries and 4 receptions for 17 yards.
Dalvin’s Vikings beat the Payments 33-30 in extra time final season within the brothers’ first assembly.
UP NEXT
Payments: Host the Las Vegas Raiders of their residence opener subsequent Sunday.
Jets: Journey to Dallas to tackle the Cowboys subsequent Sunday.
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