Jets coach Robert Saleh has plan for how much Aaron Rodgers should play in preseason

Take a look around the NFL and note the training camp injuries. You really think Aaron Rodgers is going to play in preseason games?

Sure, the Jets need their new quarterback to discover more chemistry with the skilled guy. But then again, Rodgers knows the offense, since he ran it for a time while he was the quarterback of Green Bay. New Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is Rodgers’ old OC with the Packers.

Jets coach Robert Saleh told an NYC radio station that Aaron Rodgers will play only if the other starters also need extra work. In fact, the coach said the only game Rodgers could play is the final one against the New York Giants. That kind of speaks for itself.

ProFootballTalk pointed out that Rodgers hasn’t appeared in an exhibition game since 2018. That’s when he saw action in an early game that lasted all of seven snaps.

And last season during training camp, Aaron Rodgers even questioned playing a handful of snaps. Like what’s the point.? Either play for some extended snaps or not at all.

“I don’t see any benefit to it,” Aaron Rodgers told reporters last year. “I definitely don’t see any benefit to playing one series. If we’re going to play, we should play and play a quarter, a couple of series, two to three series. Just suiting up for four plays, to me, is a waste.”

And this week probably makes coaches even more anxious about playing elite players. All 32 teams have started preseason training camp. And some big names went down in practice. The Jets saw receiver Garrett Wilson limp off the field, Thursday, with an ankle issue. The Jets social media team has posted daily updates on the spectacular throws and catches involving Rodgers-Wilson.

Then down in Miami, Jalen Ramsey, the star cornerback and recent signee, injured his knee. He’ll need surgery, but not of the reconstructive variety. Ramsey tore his meniscus, but doctors won’t know the extent of the injury until they start the surgery. He could miss six weeks at a minimum. Or, at the maximum, he could return after Thanksgiving.

The biggest injury of all came in Cincinnati, when quarterback Joe Burrow took a handoff and rolled out. He almost immediately started limping and athletic trainers used the cart to bring the star QB to the locker room. Twitter users speculated so much that Achilles started trending. But coach Zac Taylor said Burrow strained his calf. That’s the same injury Cowboy safety Donovan Wilson suffered earlier this week in Oxnard, Calif.

So, don’t expect to see Aaron Rodgers wearing his new No. 8 out on the field during preseason games. The Jets play four of them. That includes next Thursday’s Hall of Fame game, which kicks off the NFL exhibition season. The Jets will play the Browns. Both teams have former players making the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Joe Klecko and Darrelle Revis representing the Jets and Joe Thomas there for the Browns.

The Jets play four preseason games. Other opponents include the Panthers and Bucs. They’ll finish off at MetLife Stadium, Aug., 26, against the Giants. So Aaron Rodgers, take a seat.