Jets QB Aaron Rodgers 'pushed back' on head coach's practice decision

It may have gone against quarterback Aaron Rodgers's wishes, but New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh decided it had to be done.

The Washington Commanders were in Florham Park for a joint practice on Thursday, but weather was rainy and the footing was less than ideal. With the 40-year-old Rodgers coming off a torn Achilles, the risk of potential injury on a slick field outweighed the reward of practice reps against a non-conference foe. Apparently, however, the four-time NFL MVP wanted to be in uniform with his teammates instead of on the sideline in a rain jacket.

"He pushed back, he wanted to go," said Saleh. "In the grand scheme of things, we're trying to think forward thinking with regards to Week 1, and we've got a long way for that. We'll have other opportunities coming up with Carolina and the Giants."

The Jets have joint practices scheduled with the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants over the next two weeks. Rodgers will likely see reps in one or both of those sessions, considering he practiced against the Panthers last summer.

"If it was clean outside, he would've practiced today," said Saleh. "Call it overprotection, but it was just the decision I made."

Saleh offered insight into his thought process that led to the overprotective action .

"He's taken every rep in practice. I felt like it was just unnecessary. Heightened environment, unfamiliar foes in terms of taking care of one another - I just didn't want to expose him to it," said Saleh.

More New York Jets News:

• WR Garrett Wilson consistently cooks Washington Commanders defender

• Jets star WR can officially begin training camp practice

• Jets could potentially dodge two 49ers superstars in season opener

• No end in sight for Haason Reddick holdout from Jets training camp

• Jets' defense can continue tradition vs. top rookie QB in preseason opener