Aaron Rodgers dramatic 373-day journey from crushing injury to hopeful Jets home opener vs. Patriots

It’s been 373 days since one of the darkest hours in Jets history.Before Thursday night’s Jets home opener against the Patriots, the last time their fans saw Aaron Rodgers at MetLife Stadium he was charging out of the tunnel waving an American flag commemorating the Jets’ Sept.11, 2023 season opener against the Bills.On the fourth offensive play into that game for the Jets, Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles tendon and was lost for the season.It’s been a long, arduous road for him since.As there always is with Rodgers, drama ensued.Thanks to his weekly Tuesday spots on the “Pat McAfee Show,’’ there were few dull moments with Rodgers during his rehab period as he chronicled everything.It has all led to his highly-anticipated return to the home field Thursday night.“It’s been a long time since I took the field at ‘Jetlife,’” Rodgers said before the game.Rodgers said he anticipated that there would be “be a lot of emotions for sure, but we’re thankfully into our third game of the season, (having) played two full games.’’Indeed, there figured to be a lot fewer people holding their breath about Rodgers’ repaired Achilles since he’s already played two road games entering this one.Stream the game live on Thursday night on Amazon Prime VideoHe said his “body feels good, about as good as it can on a short week,’’ adding, “It’ll be fun to be out there with the crowd, and night games … I love night games.’’Rodgers’ ordeal began that fateful Sept.

11 night when he was sacked by Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd and was carted off the field.He was placed on injured reserve the following day, Sept.12.On Sept.

13, Rodgers announced via Instagram that he underwent a “successful’’ surgery while vowing to “rise yet again.” The procedure in his surgery involved a “speed bridge” procedure designed to expedite the recovery process.On Sept.15, Rodgers, in his first public remarks since the injury and subsequent surgery, hinte...