The wife of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins seems inspired by Aaron Rodgers’ continued recovery from a fully torn left Achilles.
Cousins, who underwent surgery for a torn right Achilles he suffered in a game against the Packers in late October, explained why his wife, Julie, is holding out hope he could make a return to the field in February.
“I think Aaron [Rodgers’] injury was about eight weeks ahead of mine so that’s essentially two months,” Cousins said during an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday, referring to the Jets quarterback, who ruptured his left Achilles just four snaps into the season-opener on Sept. 11.
“… Let’s say he does come back, you basically need to add eight weeks to that for when I could come back — and when you start to do that math, you end up past the Super Bowl,” which is set for Feb. 11, 2024.
“I said to my wife, because she said, ‘Do you think you can play in the Super Bowl?’ I said, well, ‘If they make it to the Super Bowl without me, they’re probably not going to want to play me in that game,” Cousins said, laughing.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback spoke of Rodgers after he was asked about his own recovery amid rumors that the former league MVP could return this season.
Cousins went on to explain that he’s been in contact with the Jets quarterback.
“I joked with Aaron — I texted him the other day, that we need to start an Achilles Anonymous group,” Cousins said. “Maybe at Super Bowl week we can have a little summit.
“We can meet in Vegas and invite all the who’s who of torn Achilles, get in a room, and see if we can swap stories and experiences and strategies.”
Cousins suffered his Achilles injury in the fourth quarter of a game against the Packers on Oct. 29, which Minnesota won, 24-10, at Lambeau Field.
The Vikings have gone 3-3 in his absence and are fighting for a playoff spot.
Cousins underwent a different Achilles surgery than Rogers, who had a “speed bridge” surgery done — a procedure that is designed to accelerate the normal rehabilitation process from the injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Rodgers will not play this year.
Rogers said he has “no timetable to come back” during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday.
The Vikings host the Detroit Lions on Dec. 24 while the Jets host the Washington Commanders.
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