Aaron Rodgers tweaked his calf during New York Jets OTAs having not participated in "pre-practice conditioning" in 18 years.
The four-time NFL MVP, 39, joined the Jets in a blockbuster trade from the Green Bay Packers in search of a new challenge. There is hope that the quarterback can turn the Jets' fortunes around, with the franchise not winning a Super Bowl since 1969.
And to get used to his new surroundings, Rodgers has been attending sports games in New York, attending New York Knicks NBA Play-Off games alongside team-mates and celebrities. He has also decided to take part in OTA's, something he hasn't done since his 2005 Green Bay selection.
Rodgers may revert to avoiding "pre-practice conditioning" though, after tweaking his calf while using medicine balls and sleds to get loose for practice. “I haven’t done it before,” Rodgers said. “I haven’t done it in 18 years. So but obviously there’s some science behind it.”
In a boost to the Jets, the NFL Hall of Famer cut a calm figure as he addressed the injury, which suggests it could be a relatively quick fix. Rodgers is closing in on turning 40, an age the legendary Tom Brady also surpassed.
However, in terms of athleticism, Rodgers and Brady are on different planets, with the latter, not an explosive runner, while the Jets new boy could dunk a basketball during his prime.
Despite the minor setback, Rodgers is excited ahead of the new season and believes joining the Jets after 18 years in Green Bay was the right move. "I have an excitement about coming down Jets Drive," he said. "It was surreal for sure and strange to look at my locker and see No8 or to be rocking Jets gear. But every day, there's been something that's been a special sign... that reminds me I'm in the right place."
Coach Robert Saleh has already talked up Rodgers' impact in Jersey. "We're a really, really young team, especially on offense, and just to watch him and Nathaniel [Hackett] and the way they communicate together, he's already made his presence felt with regards to meetings and input, just discussions on all of the different things we're trying to get accomplished on offense," Saleh said.
"He's a tremendous human, first and foremost, Aaron is. Just listening to him, there are little, subtle things I'm not going to get into, but he definitely cares about people and you can tell in the way he speaks to people. So we're really fortunate that he's here."
