Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Shares Confident Message Regarding Recovery
Jayson Tatum appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from an Achilles tear suffered against the New York Knicks in the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals. After just five months, the
Celtics fans will undoubtedly hope that Tatum can get back on the court before the end of the 2025-26 NBA season. However, it’s far too early to tell whether that will be possible, regardless of Tatum’s progress or his own personal plans.
The good news is that Tatum is already feeling confident in his body, which is usually a sizeable hurdle following such a serious injury. During a recent conversation with DJ Siddiqi of Poker Strategy,
“I mean the exact number, I know the number is low,” Tatum said. “Everybody thinks it’s a time-based recovery. Time is obviously important, but you have to hit certain benchmarks. The most important thing is all these tests of your strength, the strength in your calf, the strength in your leg. Getting into the same strength as your left calf or even stronger.”
Tatum continued.
“For some guys, that takes six, nine, 12 months. Everybody’s just different. But the surgery that I got, the things that we’ve been doing, I feel very, very confident in that surgical site. We won’t have that problem again.”
Tatum’s confidence will be encouraging for Celtics fans. It means that he should hit the ground running upon his eventual return to the court, at least from a mental standpoint.
Tatum Remains Focused on His Recovery
During a Sept. 23 appearance on TODAY With Jenna and Friends, Tatum noted that a full recovery is the top priority for him and the organization. However, he admitted that he hasn’t ruled out playing this season.
“For me and my team, the doctor, the organization, the most important thing is making the full recovery,” Tatum said. “I haven’t said like, ‘Yo, I’m not playing this season or anything like that.’…I have a goal in my mind. What I will say is I’m not working out, rehabbing six days a week for no reason.”
When Tatum does return to the court, he will have a plethora of new teammates. The Celtics have made multiple cost-cutting moves this summer. Nevertheless, adding Tatum back into the rotation will undoubtedly raise Boston’s ceiling.
Celtics’ Tatum Is Navigating Rehab Hurdles
When speaking with Siddiqi, Tatum also noted some of the additional hurdles he’s having to overcome.
“It was just tough,” Tatum told Siddiqi. “It’s just like, ‘I’m going to rehab six days a week, and I’m working my ass off and giving everything I have.’ It’s just like, ‘I used to be able to jump and dunk on people, and now I’m learning how to do a calf raise again.’ It was things that were tough to deal with because one day I felt invincible. I felt perfectly fine and healthy and strong, and then the next day, you just need help with everything. It’s hard to adjust.”
Tatum is clearly putting in the work to get back to his best. Eventually, that mentality and approach will pay dividends. However, for now, all Tatum can do is continue to trust the process and know that sooner or later, it will all be worth it when he steps back onto the court.
Tyree Wilson Shines Bright For Raiders, Proving His Worth On Defense
The Las Vegas Raiders had their best defensive performance of the season in Week 6, as they beat the Tennessee Titans 20-10 to improve to 2-4. The unit allowed a season-low 10 points, 225 total yards and 160 passing yards, while recording a season-high six sacks and three takeaways.
While Devin White and Maxx Crosby have received much of the attention for their performance, and rightfully so, the game was filled with unsung heroes on the defensive end. Jonah Laulu and Leki Fotu both chipped in with a sack, while Tyree Wilson and Thomas Booker IV each recovered a fumble.
Wilson's play has largely gone under the radar during the 2025 NFL season, as he has played just 41.6% of the defensive snaps. The seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has, however, proven that he deserves a bigger role in the defense.
Tyree Wilson deserves to play a bigger role in the Raiders defense
Wilson did not live up to his draft selection in his first two seasons in the NFL. In 33 games played, he recorded just 56 total tackles, 32 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
He played 43.5% of the defensive snaps as a rookie before playing a bit more at 50.0% last season. Wilson is receiving the least playing time of his career in 2025, however, as he has been on the field for just 41.6% of the defensive snaps through six games.
Despite his limited reps, the third-year edge rusher has quietly been putting together a good season, recording 11 total tackles, eight solo tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits one fumble recovery and one pass defended.
His 68.5 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 57th out of 170 edge rushers, and he ranks in the top-45 in sacks, hurries and total pressures while ranking 52nd in stops. His 67.6 grade in Week 6 was the fourth-best on the defense, while his 79.1 run defense grade led the team.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Koonce, who has played 49.2% of the defensive snaps this season, has not been as effective in his return from a torn ACL and meniscus. His 48.2 PFF grade ranks 150th at the position, and he's been largely invisible this season.
It is obvious that Wilson is having a better season than Koonce, whether using raw statistics, analytics or the eye test. Wilson's play has still not been enough to supplant the veteran Koonce on the depth chart, however, as Wilson has not received more playing time than Koonce since Week 1.
While Koonce certainly deserves to be a part of Las Vegas' defensive line rotation, it is hard to justify him continuously receiving more playing time than Wilson, who is younger, healthier and playing better football. Now in his third season, the latter should have the opportunity to see his role increase as the season progresses.
