Jayson Tatum is the most recent player to seek a comeback following a torn Achilles.
Jayson Tatum’s season came to an abrupt end during one of the finest performances of his career, where he tallied 42 points in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals before sustaining a torn Achilles — a particularly difficult injury for any athlete to recover from.
However, Tatum is now poised to return to the court after being sidelined for less than a year.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Tatum is anticipated to make his 2025-26 season debut in the Celtics’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
BREAKING: Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum will play this season and could make his debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks – less than 10 months after surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/2TCWXuXQK1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 5, 2026
Having suffered the injury 10 months prior, Tatum has been reported as ready to return, as noted by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. He will provide Boston with a definitive update ahead of Friday’s contest.
Despite Tatum’s absence, Boston has continued to perform as one of the top teams in the league, currently sitting five games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference with a record of 41-21.
For other prominent athletes who have experienced this injury, the outcomes post-recovery have varied. Below is a summary of how other elite players fared upon returning from a torn Achilles.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rodgers’ highly anticipated debut with the New York Jets was cut short after just one drive when he tore his Achilles in the Jets’ 2023 season opener. He missed the remainder of that season but returned the following year to throw for 28 touchdowns and accumulate 3,897 passing yards over 17 games.
Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
Five games into the 1993 season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino tore his Achilles a year after earning a Pro Bowl selection. The 32-year-old made a complete recovery in time to start for the 1994 season.
Marino returned as if he had never been away, passing for 4,453 yards and 30 touchdowns, which earned him another Pro Bowl nod and the Comeback Player of the Year award. He continued to play for five more seasons following the injury.
Vinny Testaverde, New York Jets
The last Jets quarterback to tear his Achilles before Rodgers was Vinny Testaverde during the 1999 season opener. Testaverde resumed as the Jets’ starting quarterback the following season, throwing for 3,732 yards, but recorded only 21 touchdowns against 25 interceptions.
At the time of his injury, Testaverde was 36 years old and had played in 158 games, which is 73 fewer than Rodgers. Nevertheless, he managed to continue his career for eight more seasons in the NFL.
Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings
If there is an exception in the recovery timeline from a torn Achilles, Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers might be the prime example. Akers sustained the injury in July 2021, yet the Los Angeles Rams activated him to the roster on December 25, 2021. He took the field just two weeks later.
At 22 years old, Akers defied expectations with a recovery period of just five months. He has played in two seasons since, rushing for 786 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022 with the Rams, both of which are career highs.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant’s torn Achilles in April 2013 at the age of 34 could have marked the end of his career. In some respects, it did — Bryant’s performance declined, and he participated in only 41 games over the next two seasons as injuries accumulated. He did return for 66 games in his final NBA season, averaging 17 points per game.
Both Bryant and Rodgers share the experience of suffering this injury late in their careers. Bryant was in his 17th season with 1,459 appearances in regular season and playoff games. He made his comeback on December 8, nearly eight months after tearing his Achilles.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
A calf injury delayed Kevin Durant’s return before he tore his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. During the 2023 offseason, Rodgers experienced a minor calf injury, which healed in time for the season’s start.
The similarities between the two end there for now. The 30-year-old Durant missed the entire 2019-20 pandemic season but made a rapid return the following year. He has averaged 28.8 points per game in the three seasons since his Achilles injury.
Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
The high-flying star of the Atlanta Hawks, Dominique Wilkins, tore his Achilles in January 1992. He returned in November and averaged 29.9 points, securing an eighth consecutive All-Star selection.
At the time of his injury, Wilkins was 32 years old and in his 10th season. He went on to play six more seasons in the NBA before retiring at 39.
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Following a strong 2011 season, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard tore his Achilles in Game 5 of the NLDS. The 31-year-old made his comeback in July 2012, nine months after his injury.
Howard continued to play for five additional seasons but was never quite the same hitter. He accumulated 96 home runs and 330 RBIs while batting .226 before retiring in 2016.
