National Football League

Aaron Rodgers leaves London 'banged up,' dealing with low ankle sprain

Updated Oct. 7, 2024 11:24 a.m. ET

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London has not been good to Aaron Rodgers.

The New York Jets quarterback has lost both times he has played there and heads home "banged up" again after throwing three interceptions in a 23-17 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

That's back-to-back losses for the Jets (2-3), who have more questions about the health of their 40-year-old QB. Rodgers said after the game he has a low ankle sprain — which head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Monday morning — and that comes a week after dealing with a swollen knee.

"He’s dealing with a low ankle [sprain], but all the preliminary stuff says he’ll be fine," Saleh said during a video call, adding that Rodgers should be able to play against the Buffalo Bills next Monday night.

"We’re playing below our potential," Rodgers said Sunday. "Too many mistakes. We’re slow starters. Too many mental errors. Just too many mistakes in general. That’s hard to overcome, and then you know for me, I’ve got to take care of the football. Can’t turn the ball over three times and win in this league."

Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. On New York’s next possession, Rodgers threw too high for Allen Lazard and was intercepted by Camryn Bynum.

The Jets had just four first downs and 99 net yards in the first half, salvaged only by Lazard's touchdown reception to close the gap to 17-7 before halftime.

Stephon Gilmore's pick late in the fourth quarter — with the Jets driving for a potential winning score — sealed Minnesota's victory after the Jets fought back from a 17-0 deficit.

"I just kind of underthrew it a little bit," he said of the pass intended for Mike Williams.

Rodgers had only thrown one interception through the first four games. On Sunday, he was 29 of 54 for 244 yards with two touchdown passes and three turnovers. He also became the ninth player in NFL history to throw for 60,000 yards in regular-season games.

But an uneven performance and an injury that had the Jets and their fans holding their breath were the postgame story lines.

In the third quarter, Rodgers could be seen in obvious pain as he clutched his left leg after taking a big hit. "I’m definitely banged up," he said. "Got my foot caught on a pile there."

Rodgers added that "a lot of things that made some noises on the way down."

And that's never a good feeling for a quarterback — especially one who tore his left Achilles tendon in last year's season opener — but he continued to play. He was headed to the injury tent to be examined when the Vikings were called for roughing the kicker on a punt. It gave the Jets the ball back, so Rodgers turned around and took the field again.

"I said, 'Screw it, I’m going back out there,’" he said.

The Jets (2-3) will host the AFC East-rival Bills (3-2) next week, and they could share first place in the division with a win. Rodgers should benefit from having an extra day to heal after being sacked three times and being hit 11 times by the Vikings. That came a week after Rodgers was brought down five times and hit 14 times in a loss to the Denver Broncos.

"I talked with him last night, and he's doing fine," Saleh said. "Obviously, he's a little banged up, but he feels good."

Rodgers finished with his worst performance as a member of the Jets, going 29 of 54 for 244 yards and a touchdown, but tied a career worst with three interceptions — including one on New York's final possession deep in Vikings territory as they tried to drive for a potential winning touchdown.

The game marked the first time in his 20-year career that Rodgers had two passes intercepted in the first quarter.

The Jets managed just 36 total yards rushing against the Vikings. Breece Hall had 23 on nine carries and rookie Braelon Allen had 13 on five attempts.

"The run game is clearly not good enough," Saleh said. "You know, felt like coming out of training camp it was going to be a strength for us, and it obviously hasn't been that way."

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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