Ramona Shelbourne shares promising Jayson Tatum injury update, ‘He’s out of…’

NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne provided a positive update on Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum's recovery from an Achilles tear sustained during the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks. Originally expected to be sidelined for 8-12 months and likely miss the entire 2025-26 season, recent reports indicate Tatum might be ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

Tatum is rehabbing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and recently shared a workout video, an early positive sign. Shelburne further reported on ESPN's NBA Today that Tatum is now walking again and out of the protective boot. She stated Tatum is undergoing rehab six days a week, reinforcing the notion that his recovery is progressing faster than initially anticipated.

This update is welcome news for Celtics fans as the team prepares for a season without Tatum. The organization has traded away key players like Jrue Holiday (to Portland) and Kristaps Porzingis (to Atlanta), effectively dismantling their 2024 championship-winning roster. Tatum's eventual return is seen as crucial to revitalizing the franchise.

With Tatum injured and Holiday traded, the responsibility of leading the Celtics falls squarely on second star Jaylen Brown. Having played alongside Tatum since 2017, Brown now steps out of his shadow to become the primary option. While Brown proved his value by winning the 2024 Finals MVP, he now faces the challenge of being the undisputed top focus of opposing defenses.

Brown also recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus suffered in March. Despite this, Shelburne expressed confidence that Brown is ready to embrace his new role as Boston's number one player.