Aaron Rodgers’ return from injury ended in defeat as the New York Jets lost 32-19 to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in California.
Rodgers returned to the field nearly a year after tearing his Achilles tendon in his Jets debut, which ruled him out for all of last season.
The 40-year-old quarterback, who won four NFL MVP awards during his time with the Green Bay Packers, threw for 167 yards with one touchdown and one interception on Monday night, but it wasn’t enough to overcome last year’s Super Bowl runners-up.
“I felt great,” Rodgers said. “I feel very grateful to be back in protection. A lot of people helped me get to this point.”
“I’m very grateful to my surgeon, my loved ones, my friends, the staff and the training staff for helping me get back. Obviously, I wanted to take an injection and feel the physicality of it.
“Once I hit a couple of balls and took a shot, I felt good.”
The home team had to secure the win without running back Christian McCaffrey, who was ruled out shortly before kickoff.
The 28-year-old was sidelined with a calf and Achilles tendon injury.
That left an opportunity for Jordan Mason, who started a game for the first time in his third NFL season.
He finished with an impressive 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Mason wasn’t the only 49er who shined, as Jake Moody also added a franchise-record six field goals.
