The NY Jets have maintained that there is no reason to be concerned about quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ knee injury as the team enters its Week 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday.
Rodgers has downplayed the injury when speaking to reporters and head coach Robert Saleh has echoed the same sentiment. The Jets aren’t concerned. Rodgers isn’t concerned. At least, that’s what they have stated publicly.
However, the Jets made a curious roster move on Saturday, one that seems to suggest at least some level of concern for their star quarterback. The move has certainly raised a few eyebrows.
The Jets elevated quarterback Adrian Martinez and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball from their practice squad on Sunday. This is the third week in a row that McCrary-Ball has been elevated to help replace C.J. Mosley. The curious move pertains to Martinez.
What does NY Jets’ Adrian Martinez elevation mean for Aaron Rodgers’ knee injury?
Martinez, the reigning UFL MVP, signed with the Jets this summer and flashed his upside in the preseason. He was able to beat out undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley for the team’s third quarterback job and has spent the first month of the season on the practice squad.
The Jets’ decision to elevate Martinez for Sunday’s game suggests they are at least a little concerned about Rodgers’ health. Rodgers was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice but was upgraded to a full participant for both Thursday and Friday.
The four-time MVP is not listed on the Jets’ official injury report entering Week 5. Still, it’s notable that the Jets chose this week to elevate Martinez. One would have to believe it’s related to Rodgers’ injury.
Tyrod Taylor is Rodgers’ primary backup and would be inserted if the Jets’ starter were to miss any time. Martinez serves as an additional insurance policy ahead of a matchup with the blitz-heavy Vikings.
It should be noted that Martinez will have to be a part of the 48-man game-day roster for Week 5. The NFLPA vetoed a rule in the offseason that would have allowed teams to elevate players from the practice squad and designate them as the emergency third QB.
Instead, a player must be on the 53-man roster to be eligible for the emergency third QB rule. Martinez was simply elevated for the week — he was not signed to the active roster.
It’s possible the Jets could also be working on some sort of trick play involving Martinez, who showcased his playmaking ability in the summer. But even if that’s the case, elevating Martinez to provide extra security behind a banged-up Rodgers makes sense.
The Jets might simply be playing it safe with their starting quarterback, but it’s safe to say Martinez’s elevation raised a few eyebrows and sparked some concern. Rodgers’ injury may be more of a hindrance than the Jets have indicated.
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