I already commented this, but I firmly believe that he knows the team won’t be playoff contenders and once we reach week 13/14 he can use that as an excuse for why he’s not playing. If they aren’t contenders/going to the playoffs then it’s not worth the risk - but it was never going to happen anyway.

They won’t even end up as contenders for a playoff spot; which means he can say he was ready to play but it wouldn’t be worth it given that they aren’t going to the playoffs. I think he knew/knows this and it’s all been him blowing smoke up his own ass since day 1.