DeMarcus Cousins can relate to the uncertain road Jayson Tatum is traveling. He shared the same fears and defiant determination to return to All-Star form after suffering an Achilles tendon tear in 2018.
One of the most significant differences is the strides made in treating what is perhaps the most devastating injury an athlete can suffer.
"Now, in almost every one of these injuries, in every ankle sprain, almost every soft tissue injury that we see, in order to help the athlete come back faster and stronger, we add these growth factors to these injuries," shared Dr. Kevin R. Stone, an orthopedic surgeon at The Stone Clinic and a leading expert in Achilles tendon repair.
"His Achilles tendon, assuming it was treated that way, is different than the Achilles tendons that ruptured a few years ago, where they didn't receive that treatment," he continued. "When you add these recruitment factors, you can increase their migration to the site of [the] injury and speed up their repair."
That was part of an illuminating conversation about Jayson Tatum's road to recovery, the boxes he needs to check to return, when Celtics fans might see him in uniform again, and what to expect when that happens.
DeMarcus Cousins sees a difference in Jayson Tatum's recovery
Along with medical advancements in treating injuries like a torn Achilles tendon, Tatum is helping himself by relentlessly attacking his rehab.
The six-time All-Star has graduated to playing one-on-one against members of Boston's coaching staff. Each on-court workout he gives a glimpse into amplifies the discourse about when he might return. That's a testament to his hard work.
Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rehab appears to be progressing much better than Boogie Cousins’ did ððð¥
With the Celtics currently 3rd in the East, Boogie thinks adding Tatum would make Boston the clear-cut favorite to win the conference ☘️ pic.twitter.com/dzoVBO8eKp
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 11, 2025
"The video I saw from Jayson Tatum training, coming from a guy that also suffered an Achilles injury, it's night and day from where I was coming back to where he is now," said Cousins during a recent appearance on "Run It Back" on FanDuel TV. "Obviously, that was years ago; medicine has continued to evolve and get better and better. So, what I just saw -- it's definitely a chance for him to return this season.
"It would definitely change the whole trajectory of that Celtics' season. And on top of that, the Celtics are actually doing their thing right now. They're about third, fourth in the East, no one was really expecting that."
Indeed, Boston has surged to third in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics and Detroit Pistons have nine wins against teams with a .500 record or better, the most by any club this campaign. Perhaps that's a sign of their ability to contend if Tatum rejoins the fold with the East wide open this season.