Jets' Aaron Rodgers on Thursday's home opener: 'Lot of emotions for sure'
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks on the field at the start of the second half against the 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sept. 9 in Santa Clara, Calif. Credit: Getty Images/Lachlan Cunningham
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The excitement for Aaron Rodgers will begin during his ride through the MetLife Stadium parking lot. The emotions will come when he takes the field.
Rodgers will play his first home game Thursday night since he tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into last season. The Jets (1-1) play the Patriots in what should be a fun atmosphere environment in the building Rodgers affectionately refers to as “JetLife” Stadium.
“I feel good about it,” Rodgers said after practice Tuesday. “It’s been a long time since I took the field at JetLife. It’ll be a lot of emotions for sure. But we’re thankfully already into the third game of the season. Played two full games. Body feels good, about as good as it can on a short week. But it’ll be fun to be out there with the crowd. Night games, I love night games. Excited about it.”
When Rodgers ran onto the field holding a flag last year, MetLife Stadium was electric. He said it was “spur of the moment” and that someone just handed him a flag. Rodgers doesn’t know how he will enter the field Thursday, but he’s sure there will be something to get the crowd going.
It probably doesn’t need to be much. The Jets fans are rabid and believe this could be a special season. There was a huge contingent of Jets’ fans in Sunday’s win in Tennessee.
“I hope it’s off the chain,” Robert Saleh said. “I know our fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of football. Really looking forward to the atmosphere on Thursday night.”
There have been several important moments for Rodgers, 40, in his comeback from a major injury. He’s been reflective and appreciative to still be playing.
One of the big ones was playing and getting through his first game this season in San Francisco. This will be another one because it’s home and the scene of the injury.
“If you love the game, there’s always emotion,” Rodgers said. “There’ll be emotion this week as there always is, during the anthem and seeing our crowd and the night games and the excitement driving up to the stadium and seeing the tailgate happen. It’s always fun.”
The Jets are coming off an impressive win against the Titans. Rodgers led them on a game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. He hopes the offense can get off to a quicker start when the Jets face their AFC East rival.
This is a rough stretch to open the season. The Jets will play their third game in 11 days. Rodgers said he feels good, though.
Rodgers hasn’t been hit that much, which speaks to an improved offensive line and how quickly Rodgers gets rid of the ball. He’s feeling more comfortable moving around and expects to keep improving in that area.
“The pocket’s been pretty bucolic the first couple of weeks,” Rodgers said. “It’s been real nice back there. Not many hits, not many sacks, a lot of time. Last week, I felt better than I did Week 1. It’s just confidence, just doing a couple of things, escaping the pocket, the next thing will be making a big play outside the pocket.”
Mosley's 'plan' is to play
Linebacker C.J. Mosley did not practice for the second straight day because of a toe injury. Mosley said he’s dealing with “a pretty good bruise” and a sprain. He also said “the plan” is to play Thursday.
“Gotta keep it smart,” Mosley told Newsday. “It’s a long season. As long as I can go without feeling real pain then I’ll be out there, and if not I’ll help get the rest of the linebackers ready to go.”
Mosley suffered the injury against Tennessee. He said it’s getting better every day. Saleh said Mosley’s status could be determined by a “game-day workout.”
Injury updates
Cornerback D.J. Reed (knee) and nickelback Michael Carter II (ankle) were both full participants after being limited Monday.
More Mike
WR Mike Williams’ snaps increased from nine in Week 1 to 37 in Week 2. Williams, who had a 19-yard catch on their game-winning drive in Tennessee, could play more Thursday, despite it being a short week. The Jets have limited Williams in his return from a torn ACL.
“He feels good,” Saleh said. “He wants more. His body feels good. We’re going to continue to get him involved.”
-- WITH TOM ROCK
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
