Pro Football Doc Speculates Season-Ending Injury for Aaron Rodgers
A former NFL team physician is fearing the worst for New York Jets' quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Dr. David Chao, who spent 17 years with the San Diego Chargers, said that Rodgers looks to have ruptured his left Achilles tendon on video.
Chao, who goes by @ProFootballDoc and launched the Sports Injury Central website, shared his thoughts and offered an explanation of his video examination during a halftime chat on social media.
"Unfortunately, it's pretty clear that Aaron Rodgers, by video, it's just video, it's not inside information, by video analysis, yes, left Achilles tendon rupture is what it looks like," said Chao. "It looks like his foot gets caught. He has someone on his back and he tries to escape. His calf muscle overpowers the Achilles tendon and there is a rupture."
Rodgers went down on the fourth offensive snap of his Jets' regular season debut.
Buffalo Bills' defensive end Leonard Floyd sacked Rodgers from the blindside and brought the 39-year-old quarterback down to the turf for a 10-yard loss on a 1st-and-10 play from the New York 43. He was also under duress each of the two plays prior.
After the sack Rodgers limped a few steps toward the huddle before sitting down on the turf. He eventually made it off to the sideline but was subsequently carted off to the locker-room.
"Kudos to Aaron Rodgers. Tough as he is, he actually stands up on his own, which he can do. Then, realizes he can't do it and sits down," said Chao.
Should Chao's diagnosis prove accurate, a return for Rodgers this season would be highly unlikely.
"Don't mean to give the bad news, but this would mean surgery," said Chao. "Chance to return, not really."
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