texan279
Hall of Fame
An 11 year study of NFL players sustaining pec ruptures published in 2014 revealed 10 players being identified by records...............the average return to play was 111 days (just short of 4 months). There was 1 outlier at 42 days. And a few with recoveries as long as 189 days.
My experience with athletes that require arm strength is that the return to play can be 4-6 months...........and typically closer to 6 months. And recovery of maximum strength..........closer to 1 year.
Here is a 2018 review of studies on the subject:
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What is interesting to note in this most recent review, the proportion of professional athletes who returned to their preinjury level of sport was lower. Although the majority (90%) returned to play, only 74% returned to preinjury level. The decrease of strength of the affected arm was typically only ~10%, but in an elite athlete that requires maximum strength to excel at his position, 10% is a significant loss.
For Watt to come back for the 2020 playoffs would likely set him up, like commonly occurs for any player pushing his return, for poor performance and high risk re-injury. A first game playoff return would mean Watt would be returning only ~2 months post surgery...........the conference championship game at only ~2 1/2 months post surgery...............and even if delayed until the SB, ~3 months post surgery.
I'l let others consult Vegas on the odds. My feeling is that overall it is probably unrealistic and even more so ill-advised..............but maybe after flipping some more truck tires and practicing more 6 foot box jumps.....................
Thank you. Great insight and info as usual. Much appreciated.