The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of questions surrounding their current roster and the health of Shaquil Barrett, the team’s star pass rusher, is one of said questions.
The Buccaneers came in Tuesday to clean out their lockers and Barrett spoke with the media. And, of course, he was asked about the recovery from his torn Achilles heel.
“[My] Achilles is healing pretty well. I’m almost back to my normal walking stride,” Barrett told reporters. “Physically, I’m feeling as good as I’m feeling right now.”
It’s been nearly three months since Barrett tore his Achilles in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens. ESPN‘s Adam Schefter subsequently reported a 7-9 month timeline for Barrett, establishing his return in July, at the latest.
MRI confirmed that Bucs' LB Shaq Barrett suffered a torn Achilles last night and will be out the next 7-9 months, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2022
According to Cal Sports & Orthopaedic Institute, “high impact activity including jogging, jumping, and walking on uneven terrain may be attempted no earlier than 4-6 months after your surgery“. So, based off Barrett’s timeline, he might be able to begin those activities in the next 4-6 weeks.
It’d represent a big step toward Barrett getting back on the field, but it obviously remains to be seen whether or not that happens.
Either way, Barrett is dying to get back to playing on Sundays.
“As a fan just watching…I feel so much more emotional watching than when I’m actually on the field,” said Barrett. “Because on the field I’m thinking of making the next play [and] trying to make a change. There’s nothing I can do on the sideline.
“It’s so much harder watching… So we’re going to fix it and do whatever it takes to easily get into the playoffs next year and make some moves in the playoffs. Instead of barely making it in and having to play until the next-to-last game to know if we’re in the playoffs.”
Featured image via Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
h/t to Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud and Pewter Report
