Is Aaron Rodgers playing tonight? Latest updates for NY Jets preseason Week 2

The NY Jets are preparing for a 2024 season in which they have aspirations of not only ending their dreadful 13-year playoff drought but perhaps making a run at the Super Bowl. They can thank their starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, for those dreams.

Rodgers is set to return this year after missing all but four plays in what was supposed to be his first season with the Jets in 2023. Rodgers' return provides new hope for a Jets franchise that is desperate to achieve some sort of postseason success.

But before we reach the regular season, the Jets still have two more preseason games to complete. The preseason isn't really important for players like Rodgers, who are already well-established in their roles and have nothing to play for.

Instead, the preseason is the time for the roster-bubble players and rookies to carve out roles and earn their place on the team.

The Jets rested Rodgers and most of their starters in their first preseason game last Saturday, but what about tonight? Will Rodgers be playing in tonight's preseason game against the Carolina Panthers?

Is Aaron Rodgers playing tonight?

When the Jets take the field at Bank of America Stadium for tonight's Jets-Panthers preseason game, Rodgers will once again be watching from the sideline. Rodgers is not expected to play in tonight's game.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters earlier this month that Rodgers was not expected to play in either of the team's first two preseason games. Saleh left the door open for the four-time MVP to play in the Jets' preseason finale against the New York Giants, but that remains to be determined.

Rodgers was held out of each of the Jets' first two preseason games in 2022 as well before taking the field for two drives in the team's final game of the summer. It's possible the Jets decide to play it safe with their star QB this year, however.

Rodgers has officially been cleared for months after tearing his Achilles in the Jets' season opener last year, but the team has still been understandably cautious with him. There's no reason to risk any kind of injury in a game that doesn't matter.

Instead, expect to see veteran Tyrod Taylor start with a heavy dose of undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley and reigning UFL MVP Adrian Martinez, both of who are competing for the Jets' QB3 job while Jordan Travis remains out.

Rodgers might make his return to the gridiron next week, but for tonight, he won't be suiting up with his teammates. He's not playing in tonight's game.

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