The striker impressed last season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions for the Saints before being stretchered off after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury against Manchester City on April 5.
Despite being on the sidelines, Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester City have shown an interest in a player whose form saw him handed a first England call-up in early 2014.
But Ronald Koeman has ruled out any return for the 25-year-old in the coming weeks, with February now the earliest he could return.
"Jay had to make a step back in his recovery. He will not be available until after the end of January," he told reporters.
"That was a pity because when we spoke about the squad in pre-season we said Jay would be a good signing for December, January but he isn't.
"After a big injury you don't have to rush. He needs time and he will give him time. It is a pity because he is a good player.
"This is the kind of bad luck we are having.
"He is now making steps forward but I don't like to fix a date because that puts pressure on the player and medical staff."
Rodriguez's setback is the latest fitness problem to strike Koeman's squad, with the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Toby Alderweireld and Jack Cork all missing matches through injury in recent weeks.
Those issues have coincided with the St Mary's Stadium outfit losing five successive matches, with the latest coming at the hands of League One Sheffield United in the League Cup.
And Koeman revealed Dusan Tadic is the latest player to be struck down, though his issues are linked to fatigue rather than a knock picked up while on the field.
"Tadic's tiredness has built up from playing a lot. All his injuries are built from fatigue and that means you are not fresh," he added.
"That is the difference playing outside the Premier League. These players need a break. That is one of the difficulties for us and one of the problems."
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