Aaron Rodgers called being able to throw on field during pregame warmups 'a special moment'

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was on the sidelines Sunday for the Jets’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles. But prior to the game, he was able to throw the ball on the MetLife Stadium field.

He discussed that moment on Tuesday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show.

“We’re about five weeks tomorrow since surgery,” Rodgers said. “Five weeks yesterday was the injury. The first goal was to be able to get back on the field for the October 1 game. I was hoping without crutches. I just wasn’t actually anywhere close to being able to get off of them. Then the next goal was to be able to throw on the field the 15th. It’s really just for me to be able to feel more normal.

“Just to be back around the guys was incredible. To be on the field without crutches, to be able to be on the sidelines, to be on the headset, it made me feel like I wasn’t so separated from the team. Really thankful for that. Obviously just about anything I do or say there’s some sort of reaction. That’s kind of where I’m at right now, and I appreciate it. But that was a special moment for me to be able to feel a little bit more normal.”

Rodgers said he has been very intentional with his rehab after his undergoing surgery from the knife of Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

He said to McAfee and his crew that he underwent a more innovative surgery to repair his Achilles injury, and asked ElAttrache if he could push the injury as much as possible.

“I asked him if we could push it,” Rodgers said. “If we could push it beyond the normal protocols. Cam Akers had the same surgery. He was able to come back in about five months. Me and JK both had the surgery within a couple of days of each other. It’ll be interesting to see what both of our prognosis is and then our timetable. But I just wanted to do things quicker. Smart but quicker and like I’ve said, the most important thing is you just don’t want to stress the Achilles.”