It's not even training camp and Jayson Tatum is already teasing a return

Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles has headlined all things Boston Celtics this summer. Even with the significant roster changes made to avoid the second-apron, Tatum’s injury has still remained the focus. Questions like, “Would they have made all these moves if he was still healthy?” were asked continuously as the offseason unfolded.

The night Tatum went down on the Madison Square Garden floor was devastating. His teammates were devastated, as was the fanbase. Of course, the first question any time a player is injured is, “When will they be back?”

Though there’s been plenty of speculation, Tatum had yet to speak on a return, until he appeared on NBC’s Today show on Tuesday.

"That is the million-dollar question. I think for me and my team, the doctors, the organization, the most important thing is making a full recovery, [and] being back 100%. Not rushing it. But I haven't said like, 'Yo, I'm not playing this season,' or anything like that."

Tatum’s unwillingness to rule out a return in the upcoming season is eye-opening. Especially, because he DOUBLED DOWN on that sentiment during a later appearance on ESPN’s First Take.

“This is like maybe the third time [I’ve said this]. I’ve never said I’m not playing this season.”

Jayson Tatum has clearly been aiming for a speedy recovering since the beginning

The consensus expectation amongst Celtics media and fans has been that he would miss the entire 2025-26 campaign. Achilles injuries typically take a year or so to fully heal, and the prospect of a return sooner than that would seem premature -- well, not to him.

He was very clear that making a full recovery is his top priority, but seemed confident he can do so in a timely manner.

"I have a goal in my mind...I'm not working out, rehabbing six days a week for no reason."

This mindset is consistent with what ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported in the days following the Celtics star’s surgery. Tatum’s father, Justin, had told Spears that the hope was for Jayson to return in eight to nine months.

"Jayson actually had a surgery from the same guy that did [Kevin] Durant's surgery, and did Tiger Wood's surgery," Spears explained on NBA Today back in May. "He had it the next day. His dad says that he expects him to be out eight to nine months."

It’s still too soon to set any expectations on a return. Tatum made it clear during Tuesday’s interview that he’s getting better, but still has work to do.

There’s no doubt that he’s going to do the work. Just last week, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand reported that the 27-year-old has been rehabbing five days a week at the Auerbach Center all summer long.

"He's doing things that nobody asked him to do," explained Bertrand of Tatum's commitment to the rehab process.

At this point, all we can do is wait and see, but every indication from Tatum, as well as the Celtics, is that things are progressing very well.