Jets QB Aaron Rodgers feared to have torn Achilles

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. --  Jets quarterback  Aaron Rodgers is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles four plays into his New York debut Monday night, according to coach Robert Saleh.

"It's not good," Saleh said after his team's 22-16 overtime win against the  Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.

Rodgers will have an MRI on Tuesday, which the team expects will confirm the tear.

On his fourth snap of the season, Rodgers went to the ground on a sack and departed the field with what was initially called a left ankle injury.

Rodgers, in his highly anticipated Jets debut, spent a few minutes in the injury tent before being loaded onto a cart. He got out of the cart before leaving the field and limped to the locker room through the tunnel at midfield.

The Jets announced Rodgers' return as questionable before later ruling him out for the rest of the game. New York would go on to beat Buffalo on a 65-yard punt return TD by undrafted rookie  Xavier Gipson.

During the game, Rodgers was seen entering the X-ray room with his left foot in a boot. According to the Jets, X-rays on the ankle were negative.

The sellout crowd at MetLife Stadium, which began the night with Super Bowl aspirations, got quiet and was drained of its energy as Rodgers was helped off the field after the sack.

On a first down from the Jets' 43, left tackle Duane Brown, 38, who had minimal practice in the summer as he recovered from a shoulder injury, got beat by defensive end Leonard Floyd. Brown lunged at Floyd and lost his footing, giving Floyd a clear path to Rodgers.

Rodgers, 39, tried to spin out of Floyd's grasp. In doing so, he appeared to twist his left ankle. He stayed down, and the Jets' medical personnel rushed immediately to him.

Rodgers was replaced in the game by Zach Wilson, who took over backup duties when the Jets traded for Rodgers in the offseason. Wilson, drafted second overall in 2021, was demoted twice last season.

Wilson finished the game 14-of-21 passing for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Rodgers injured the same leg in OTAs, as he missed a handful of practices with what was called a strained left calf muscle. By training camp, the injury appeared to be healed. He didn't miss any practices.

Rodgers' injury Monday night was reminiscent of the 1999 opener, when starter Vinny Testaverde suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the second quarter.