FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets coach Robert Saleh believes it is in one of the best curiosity of the staff to play quarterback Aaron Rodgers within the remaining preseason sport, dangerous historical past and harm threat be damned.
“You may’t coach scared, you’ll be able to’t play scared,” Saleh mentioned Tuesday, confirming that Rodgers will begin Saturday towards the New York Giants. “You may slip out of your automotive and have one thing occur to you. Knock on wooden, everybody will likely be high-quality.”
Rodgers, 39, who sat out the primary three video games and hasn’t performed within the preseason since 2018, mentioned he was in favor of enjoying even earlier than Saleh broached the concept.
“There wasn’t a lot of a dialog with Robert,” Rodgers mentioned. “I feel he was somewhat extra nervous I might need mentioned no, however I used to be already leaning towards asking him to play. So, it was a straightforward dialog.”
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With the season opener lower than three weeks away, Saleh desires Rodgers to get acclimated to MetLife Stadium and its ambiance earlier than going through the Buffalo Payments on Sept. 11 at dwelling. Rodgers expressed a way of urgency, saying now’s the time when issues ramp up.
“There’s all the time that risk-reward,” Rodgers mentioned of the preseason. “I feel over time it simply hasn’t made sense based mostly on numerous various factors. I used to take pleasure in enjoying within the preseason again in my youthful years, simply to type of possibly take that first hit or really feel the nerves on the primary drive. So, I look ahead to being on the market.”
The Jets have a historical past of quarterback accidents towards the Giants. In 2003, Chad Pennington fractured his left (non-throwing) wrist within the annual preseason contest, inflicting him to overlook the primary six regular-season video games. In 2013, Mark Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder harm within the fourth quarter behind a backup offensive line. Saleh famous the Jets aren’t the one staff utilizing their star quarterback within the preseason.
“You see a few of the nice ones on the market,” he mentioned. “Kansas Metropolis is enjoying their guys, Buffalo is enjoying their guys. It isn’t unusual. You may all the time play the hindsight sport, the fearful sport, however what’s in one of the best curiosity of our staff goes out and enjoying some soccer collectively and making ready ourselves one of the best ways we are able to for Sept. 11.”
It seems like Rodgers and the beginning offense will play multiple collection as they attempt to construct chemistry. Due to accidents and positional battles, the Jets have not had a lot continuity in the summertime.
“We’ll see the way it goes,” Saleh mentioned. “I do not wish to simply throw him on the market for a collection and get him out. I might wish to see these guys undergo transition, get to the sideline, have some changes, get again to the sphere, play with these changes. You’d wish to see that transition occur a couple of instances.”
Rodgers’ offensive line, a bother spot all through camp, will likely be complete — properly, virtually.
Guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, each of whom missed final week’s sport with accidents, are anticipated to return. Former first-round decide Mekhi Becton, a backup in camp, will begin at proper deal with after a formidable exhibiting final week.
The one projected starter nonetheless sidelined is left deal with Duane Brown, who was in Houston on Tuesday for a medical analysis on his surgically repaired shoulder. If cleared, he will likely be activated from the bodily unable to carry out listing.
Just lately signed operating again Dalvin Cook dinner will not play. Neither will operating again Breece Corridor (ACL surgical procedure), who returned to observe final week. Each are anticipated for Week 1.
The choice to play Rodgers did not come as a shock, as Saleh hinted on the chance a couple of weeks in the past.
“For us as a corporation, he is new,” Saleh mentioned Tuesday. “I do know he is been within the lengthy a really very long time, however [I] simply did not need Sept. 11 to be the primary time he stepped into MetLife Stadium. The Giants-Jets sport, whether or not it is preseason or common season, it’ll be turnout.
“There’s going to be plenty of anticipation and pleasure within the constructing. I simply did not need the primary time that he goes out together with his new staff, new colours, new teammates, new stadium — I did not need it to be the primary time on Sept. 11.”
