Aaron Rodgers caught his first touchdown as a New York Jets quarterback on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, rebounding from a nightmare first two series at Levi’s Stadium.
Breece Hall got the 3-yard TD, moments after leaving Rodgers fuming when he fumbled on the previous drive.
First, Allen Lazard dropped a simple pass from Rodgers for what would have been the Jets’ first down in the opening minutes of the first quarter.
He appeared to slip in the process, but should still have gotten the ball into his hands – it was a perfect pass from Rodgers.
The Jets’ defense responded brilliantly, meaning Rodgers soon returned to the field for his fourth play of the game, the same occasion on which he tore his Achilles tendon last year.
He found Hall, but the running back fumbled under pressure from Fred Warner and the 49ers lost the ball. Rodgers was visibly unhappy, shaking his head as he took off his helmet and ran off the field.
But moments later, Rodgers and Garrett Wilson connected four times for 45 yards to lead the Jets on a 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Hall’s touchdown.
This gave Rodgers and his team a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter against last year’s Super Bowl runners-up.
The Jets got a boost before tipoff when it was learned that 49ers star player Christian McCaffrey was inactive with a calf and Achilles injury.
ESPN reported that the running back is also doubtful for next Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.