Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters Friday that QB Aaron Rodgers would have no restrictions when OTA practices begin on May 20.
The four-time MVP sustained a torn Achilles tendon on the fourth offensive snap of his Jets debut in Week 1 against the Bills last fall. He underwent surgery on Sept. 13, which was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, and eight months later, the Jets expect him to be fully healthy for Phase Three of offseason programming.
"I know he's had a couple of prior engagements that he's had to take care of, but he's here, he's working," Saleh said. "The guy can still sling it. Obviously, he's still working through his rehab, but no issues on the trajectory of which he's going."
In Phase Three, teams are allowed to do non-contact 11-on-11 drills. Last spring, Rodgers participated in nearly all the offseason practices after being traded to the Jets in April to build chemistry with his new teammates.
First Impressions of One Jets Drive
The Jets' seven draft picks, 17 undrafted free agent signings and 48 tryout players arrived at the Athletic Health Training Center for rookie minicamp this week. Among them was Jets third-round selection (No. 65) Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley.
Donning the number 17, previously worn by standout receiver Garrett Wilson, who switched to No. 5 this offseason, Corley took a moment to embrace the start of a new journey with the Green & White.
"It feels unbelievable to be here," Corley said. "It really has been a lifelong dream to be here coming from a small town and small school. And being the first student to sign a Division I letter of intent from my high school, being here feels like a storybook ending."
In just few days in New Jersey, Corley has made himself at home on the practice field and with his new quarterback in Rodgers.
"I have been texting him the last couple of nights," Corley said. "He is the MVP and the adult and all those things and so I have been texting him trying to learn what he has done to stay consistent in the league. I have had conversations with him and he said I can stay in his guest house. … I am absolutely going to take him up on that offer, too. I won't be living rent free, I will throw him a little bit, but I am a young guy."
Rehab from Combine Injury
The Jets' No. 11 overall pick from Penn State LT Olu Fashanu participated in the Jets' first rookie minicamp practice Friday but, like the rest of the draft class, worked off to the side with the training staff as he rehabs from a thigh injury he sustained while running the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
"The coaching staff and the training staff, they're just starting to ease me in," Fashanu said. "I had a minor little injury and I've just been rehabbing that. So, for them, it's all about just easing me in, just getting me out on the field, seeing how I move and all that."
Fashanu, a two-year starter of the Nittany Lions, missed the final five games of the 2022 season with a meniscus injury. However, in 2023 he was a model of consistency for HC James Franklin's squad starting all 12 games and playing 722 snaps.
