ElAttrache was given permission by Rising to speak to The Athletic to expand on the surgery, the rehab and where Utah’s quarterback is in the process of this tedious recovery. ElAttrache said Rising’s multi-ligament injury plus the meniscus tear usually takes top-flight athletes anywhere from 10 to 12 months to return to competition. So far, Rising’s knee “doesn’t have a lick of swelling in it” and has been responding to very continuous demand nicely, ElAttrache said. There has been no excess fluid buildup after practices or stiffness that limits his range of motion.
By my math, normal return window would then be mid-November to late-January. Expectations of a return to competition at any point during camp, the 5 games already played, or even this weekend would have been unrealistic given the nature of the injury.
If the surgery was performed on January 25, we are still roughly 6 weeks short of the low range.