Coach Robert Saleh made the quick decision to remove quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Jets-Commanders joint practice Thursday morning after looking at the weather.
“He was doing all the drills at practice, so I felt like it was an unnecessary, tense environment, an unfamiliar adversary in terms of caring for each other,” Saleh said. “I didn’t want to expose him to that. If it was clean outside, whether it was a game or practice, he would have practiced today. Some might call me overprotective, but that was the decision I made.”
Rodgers, 40, is working his way back after suffering a season-ending Achilles tear after four games last year.
There were no limitations in practice, but Saleh opted to play it safe by using his franchise quarterback on Thursday.
Rodgers wants to practice, he said.
“He resisted. He wanted to leave,” Saleh said, “but in the grand scheme of things, we’re trying to think positively about Week 1, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We’ll have another opportunity against Carolina and the Giants.”
Rodgers will sit out Saturday’s preseason opener against the Commanders and next week’s game against the Panthers.
Saleh hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Rodgers playing in the team’s final preseason game against the Giants.
WR Mike Williams returned to the field on Thursday.
Williams, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets in March, ended his 2023 season with the Chargers with a torn anterior cruciate ligament but was placed on the PUP list for the start of training camp upon his return.
Williams worked out individually but did not participate in team practice.
“The good news is he’s obviously way further along than we expected him to be,” Saleh said. “If I’m not mistaken, he was out early on in individual skills and route running drills, so that’s going to be his progression.”
“He’ll be participating in all walk-throughs, individual and on-air routes, so that’s probably all we’ll see of him for the next week or two unless he starts to feel better. But we expect him to be back with the team probably in two weeks.”
The Jets believe Williams will be available for their Week 1 game against the 49ers.
Saleh did not say how much playing time he plans to have on Saturday.
He said he wanted to discuss the matter with his players first, with most of the starters not expected to play.
Marty Lyons is leaving the station after 22 years as host of Jets radio broadcasts.
The former Jets star will now serve as an ambassador for the team.
Former Jets tight end Anthony Becht will replace Lions in the broadcast booth.
