New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers is expected to have the medical clearance to return to the field in time for the team's Dec. 24 game against the Washington Commanders, according to TMZ Sports.

The team could still decide to effectively shut him down for the remainder of the season, though.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in November that Rodgers was targeting Christmas Eve for what would be an unprecedented return:

There simply isn't another example of a star athlete recovering from a torn Achilles as quickly as the four-time NFL MVP has. That has led many to wonder whether he and the Jets are jumping the gun a bit.

Rodgers admitted on Nov. 30 how "a comeback this year before the four-month mark would mean I'm not 100 percent healthy," thus seemingly raising the risk of another injury.

It's perhaps telling how the narrative has shifted a bit in recent weeks to temper expectations.

Rapoport reported on Dec. 3 "it's appearing unlikely that Rodgers plays in a game at all this season." He added the odds would dramatically decline in the event the Jets were eliminated from postseason contention.

On Sunday, head coach Robert Saleh played down the likelihood of him playing imminently:

But New York remains on the periphery of the playoff picture thanks to a 30-6 win over the Houston Texans. Until that window is closed for good, the team may want to hold off on making any final decisions with its veteran quarterback.