Positive Aaron Rodgers injury update leaves NY Jets fans asking more questions

NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been forced to battle through a number of different injuries this season. He's popped up on the injury report over the last few months with injuries to his hamstring, ankle, and both his knees.

But for the first time in months, Rodgers was not listed on the team's injury report ahead of their Week 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks. This marks the first time since Week 4 that Rodgers hasn't appeared on the Jets' injury report.

The timing of Rodgers' seemingly positive injury report is a little curious, however. That's because it comes just days after reports emerged that Rodgers was not only masking the severity of his injuries but that he could ultimately be shut down and placed on the injured reserve.

Despite those reports, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich insisted that Rodgers is healthier than he's been in weeks when speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Rodgers and the Jets continue to contradict every report that's released.

Is Aaron Rodgers actually healthy?

Rodgers may not be listed on the injury report for this week, but that doesn't mean he isn't still hurt. NFL teams are only required to list players on the injury report if they are actively receiving treatment for their ailments.

Take San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner for example. Warner revealed this week that he's been playing with a fractured ankle for most of the season, but he hasn't been on the 49ers' injury report in weeks.

Rodgers may still be dealing with multiple injuries, including a potentially severe hamstring issue, as reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport this past Sunday. His absence from the injury report doesn't contradict that.

The timing of his removal from the injury report is interesting, though. Just days after reports suggested Rodgers might be more injured than he’s letting on, the four-time MVP’s name disappeared from the list. It’s a development that’s sure to fuel speculation among conspiracy theorists.

The Jets continue to insist that they have no plans to place Rodgers on IR at any point this season. They publicly maintain that he's as healthy as can be and that he will remain their starting quarterback.

Are they telling the full truth? Is Rodgers legitimately healthier than he's been in weeks? There's no way to know for sure, but the extra rest from the team's bye week probably didn't hurt.

Rodgers and the Jets seem content to ride out the season until the wheels inevitably come off. The only question is how much longer his body can hold up.

More NY Jets news and analysis: