Brandon Jennings Medically Cleared After Achilles Rupture
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Pistons guard Brandon Jennings has been cleared by doctors and is one step closer to fully participating in all basketball activities.
Jennings ruptured his Achilles tendon on January 24 and was originally facing a recovery time of six to nine months.
"I've been running. I've been jogging and stuff like that," he said. "I've been out there moving and cutting and doing everything."
Jennings also said he had gained weight and was at 195 pounds now. He plans on playing the season at 185 pounds, and plans on getting back down to that number once he can start running and working out at a normal level.
In the 41 games he played last year before his season-ending injury, Jennings averaged 15.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 28.6 minutes a game. He made 40.1 percent of his shots, and 36 percent of his three-pointers.
When the Pistons played the Lakers last season, Jennings got advice from another player who had suffered through the same injury.
"I got a chance to talk to Kobe (Bryant) after we played the Lakers," Jennings said. "He just told me to take my time and come back when I'm ready."
With long-term injuries like Jennings' ruptured Achilles, the mental side of returning can sometimes be more strenuous than the physical rehabilitation. Returning to basketball can be especially trying. Getting back to a state of mind where a player feels comfortable making the same quick cuts and having the same burst of speed takes time.
And even though his rehab has taken a little longer than originally anticipated, Jennings has been patient with the process. Now, keeping himself contained from doing too much too fast is his biggest concern.
"I think I'm past the mental part of it," he said. "I think now it's just me having to calm down and not wanting to do too much. I can go out there and just think I feel good and just keep going, but I've got to just relax."
