Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum said this week he has not “ruled off playing this season” as he works his way back from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in May, offering a cautiously optimistic update that has reignited discussion about his availability for the 2025–26 campaign. Tatum — who underwent surgery on May 13 after suffering the injury late in the Eastern Conference semifinals — told interviewers he “hasn’t said I’m not playing this season” and stressed that his rehabilitation regimen remains intense and deliberate. Medical timelines for a torn Achilles often extend close to a year, yet Tatum emphasized he is rehabbing “six days a week,” noting the effort is not being made lightly.
The Celtics’ franchise player has been sharing fragments of his recovery publicly in recent months, appearing in team social-media clips and making high-profile media appearances to discuss his progress and mindset. On ESPN’s First Take and other outlets he has repeatedly underlined that the priority is a full recovery rather than a rushed return, even as he refuses to rule out an in-season comeback. Tatum has been seen engaging in on-court activity and was even photographed at NFL practices without a walking boot, signaling encouraging mobility gains — but team officials and medical staff continue to treat any return timetable as fluid and dependent on objective tests and functional benchmarks.
Beyond the physical work, Tatum has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of the injury and the uncertain road back. In interviews compiled by outlets including Sports Illustrated, he described difficult periods of doubt and the mental challenge of rebuilding confidence after what he called a “career-altering” moment. He also noted regular contact with fellow NBA players who have experienced Achilles ruptures — including Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton and Dejounte Murray — exchanging advice and encouragement about rehab strategies and expectations for return-to-play. Those peer connections, Tatum said, have been a meaningful source of perspective during the intensive recovery process.
For the Celtics, Tatum’s status carries major competitive and roster implications. Boston has already adjusted its rotation plans in his absence and will lean more heavily on Jaylen Brown and supporting pieces while evaluating front-office options ahead of the October opener. Tatum himself suggested that, if he does return this season, his first home game back would be at TD Garden — a nod to the importance of the Boston fanbase and a timeline marker that would be carefully coordinated with doctors and Celtics staff. League observers caution that while Tatum’s comments are hopeful, prudence typically governs decisions involving Achilles recovery; any mid-season return would depend on meeting functional tests, medical clearance, and the team’s readiness to re-integrate him without risking re-injury.
English