Greetings everyone, hoping someone here can help with this issue as it seems to be a little unique. My tailgate is stuck closed but the plastic clips and handle mechanism are all just fine. One of the rods (driver side) has become disconnected at the latch and I'm clueless on what to do.

Hoping someone has some tips before I resort to taking a sledgehammer or sawzall to it

 

Anyone?

 

is the rod disconnected at the side latch or at the Handle?

 

Side latch, driver side. Plastic clips and rods are intact and fully functional at the handle