Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz  remains on the injured list 9 months after surgery to reconstruct his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and repair his lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Wentz tore both ligaments jumping into the end zone with opposing players hitting both sides of the leg.  

The ACL is a ligament that connects the femur to the tibia at the center of the knee joint.  It helps stabilize the joint when planting the foot and changing directions (pivoting). ACL tear is one of the most common injury in sports  that feature a lot of pivoting. The LCL stabilizes the outside of the knee. It helps stabilize the side to side motion of the knee. This ligament is different because it is one of the few in the body that do not heal on its own.   People that play pivot sports may choose to have it reconstructed for more effective pivoting when they return.

ACL reconstructions heal in 1 year.  Most of the healing is completed by about 6 months.  If motion, strength, and agility are regained at 9 months, some people will return at that time. It was reported that Wentz plans to return for the start of the season, 9 months after the injury. .

Wentz has started to participate in drills and exercises in the team’s training camp.  He remains sidelined in team scrimmages as the team wants him in “controlled environments” limiting the possibility of reinjury. It is reported that he may sit him out for the duration of the preseason.