Jayson Tatum’s season was effectively over while in the midst of one of the best games of his career in which he scored 42 points in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals before suffering a torn right Achilles — one of the more challenging injuries to recover from for any player.
But after being out for less than a year, Tatum might finally get back onto the court for the Boston Celtics.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Tatum is expected to make his 2025-26 season debut during the Celtics’ Friday matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
Tatum, who suffered the injury 10 months ago, has been described as ready to go, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. He will give Boston a definite decision ahead of Friday’s game.
Still, with Tatum sitting out, Boston has remained as one of the best teams in the league, sitting only five game behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference with a 41-21 record.
For other big names who suffered the injury, post-recovery production has varied. Here’s how other top athletes fared in their return from a torn Achilles.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rodgers’ anticipated debut with the New York Jets ended after only one drive when he suffered a torn left Achilles in the Jets’ 2023 season opener. He would sit out the rest of the season, before returning the next year to throw 28 touchdowns and 3,897 passing yards in 17 games.
Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
Five games into the 1993 season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino tore his Achilles a year after making the Pro Bowl. The 32-year-old made a full recovery in time to be the starting quarterback for the 1994 season.
Marino came back like he never left, throwing for 4,453 yards and 30 touchdowns to earn another Pro Bowl appearance and Comeback Player of the Year honors. He ended up playing five more seasons after the injury.
Vinny Testaverde, New York Jets
The most recent Jets quarterback to tear his Achilles before Rodgers was Vinny Testaverde in the 1999 season opener. Testaverde opened the next season as the Jets’ starting quarterback, throwing for 3,732 yards, but just 21 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.
When he tore his Achilles, Testaverde was 36 and playing in his 158th game, 73 fewer than Rodgers. But, he managed to spend eight more seasons in the NFL.
Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings
If there’s an outlier in the recovery time of a torn Achilles, Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers may take the throne. Akers suffered the injury in July 2021, yet the Los Angeles Rams elevated him to the active roster on Dec. 25, 2021. Two weeks later, he appeared on the field.
Then 22, Akers defied the odds and made a five month recovery. He’s played in two seasons since, running for 786 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022 with the Rams, both career highs.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant’s torn Achilles in April 2013 when he was 34 could have signaled the end of his career. In some ways, it did — Bryant’s production took a hit and he appeared in just 41 games in the next two seasons as injuries piled up. He did return for 66 games in his final NBA season and averaged 17 points per game.
Bryant and Rodgers are similar in that they both suffered the injury late in their careers. Bryant was in his 17th season with 1,459 regular season and playoff game appearances. However, he made his return on Dec. 8, almost eight months after tearing his Achilles.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
A calf injury delayed Kevin Durant’s return to action before he tore his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals. During the 2023 offseason, Rodgers had a minor calf injury, though it healed up by the start of the season.
The similarities between the two stop there for now. The 30-year-old Durant missed the entire 2019-20 pandemic season, but he made a swift return the next year. He has averaged 28.8 points per game in three seasons since tearing his Achilles.
Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
The high-flying Atlanta Hawks star tore his Achilles in January 1992. He made his return in November and averaged 29.9 points, earning an eighth straight All-Star appearance.
When Wilkins suffered his injury, he was 32 and in his 10th season. He ended up playing six more seasons in the NBA, retiring at 39.
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
After 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 return in July 2012, nine months after his injury.
Howard continued to play for five more seasons — but he was never quite the same hitter. He amassed 96 home runs and 330 RBIs while batting .226 before retiring in 2016.
