Aaron Rodgers' injury status has been gaining ground as the 39-year-old seems bent on returning to NFL action this 2023-24 season. Risky as it may sound, Rodgers may have nothing more to lose since he is considered a player who could walk away from the game at any time without regrets.

After tearing his Achilles in the New York Jets season opener against the Buffalo Bills, the four-time NFL MVP underwent a speed bridge procedure to accelerate the rehabilitation process, NFL.com reported.

Although the advancement is something that ups the chances of the future NFL Hall of Famer, it remains that there is no guarantee of an early return for Rodgers.

The Speed bridge procedure is designed to strengthen the repair, in this case, Rodgers' Achilles, and guard it against stretching, SI.com noted.

When is the earliest Aaron Rodgers can return?

Initially, it was suggested that the plausible return date for Aaron Rodgers was by mid-January.

Now, there are claims that Aaron Rodgers' timeline has been bumped up, suggesting that he could be back with the Jets as early as mid-December, NBC Sports reported.

"He said, 'I know it sounds insane, but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible,'" Melissa Stark of NBC News stated.

Rodgers has been seen at games, sometimes practicing some throws. However, the Super Bowl champion QB admitted that he feels he is still not yet there as far as getting his old form.

Rodgers adding extra work

An important aspect of Rodgers getting back to top shape is making sure that he is well-conditioned. He reveals working on a weight-limiting treadmill, jogging at 50% of his body weight. Moving forward, he plans to increase that to 75% to aid in his recovery efforts.

Try as he might, the only way Aaron Rodgers is returning this season is if doctors clear him. This was stressed no less by Jets coach Robert Saleh.

"If the doctors clear him, we'll clear him," Saleh said.