Robert Saleh lies again about the severity of Aaron Rodgers' knee injury

NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh has developed a reputation for misleading fans and media alike with false injury updates. Evidently, that extends to his star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, as well.

Saleh told reporters prior to Wednesday's practice that Rodgers would be listed on the injury report with a knee injury but that he would be a full participant. This was an encouraging sign, given the somewhat alarming update Rodgers provided on his knee earlier in the week.

As it turns out, Saleh's "update" was yet another incorrect piece of information. Rodgers was not spotted at the start of Jets practice and was later listed as a limited participant for Wednesday.

The four-time MVP did take part in 11-on-11 drills but was absent for the early portion of practice. Saleh had told reporters just hours before that Rodgers would be a full participant, only to be proven wrong almost instantly. Why does this keep happening?

Robert Saleh misleads fans with positive Aaron Rodgers injury update

This is far from the first time Saleh has done something like this. The fourth-year head coach made a similar mistake when speaking about cornerback D.J. Reed's knee injury earlier in the season.

Saleh told reporters prior to Week 2 that Reed was dealing with "knee soreness" that was not expected to impact his chances of playing that week. Despite this, Reed was listed as questionable on the final injury report and did not suit up for Week 2. Saleh straight-up told reporters earlier that week that Reed would be playing.

This has become a troubling trend with Saleh, and while some may write it off as gamesmanship, it's really not. Telling reporters that Rodgers would be a full participant only for him to be limited mere hours later gains the Jets no competitive advantage.

It only serves to make Saleh look foolish. Of course, Saleh could stand in front of the podium and recite the alphabet every week and it would have no direct impact on the Jets' chances of winning. The same could be said about his misleading and oftentimes false injury reports.

But it certainly doesn't help the optics around the coaching staff which has already been criticized for its lack of accountability. Whether Saleh is misled or simply lying, the result is the same. The Jets look like they don't know what's going on inside the organization.

Rodgers' limited status shouldn't preclude him from playing against the Vikings on Sunday. Neither the Jets nor Rodgers seems overly concerned with what the future Hall of Famer has called a "swollen knee."

But it's hard to take anything Saleh or the Jets say at face value at this stage. Rodgers should be able to play in Week 5, but does anyone know for certain? Robert Saleh sure doesn't.

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