Injury will have Durant learning to walk again: physical therapist

Darian Durant'sseason-ending injuryis one of the worst sports injuries to recover from, according to one Regina physical therapist.Durant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the season opener against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. Hewill miss the rest of the season

"He'll start almost at the floor," said Scott Anderson.

"(Durant)literally when he comesout of that cast, willhavevery little movement.He'llhave lost a tremendousamountof size in his calf. At first he will belearninghow to walk," said the University of Regina physical therapist.

Anderson explained the Achilles tendon attaches the two calf muscles to the foot. Arupture happens when the tendon tearson its own, or when it's tornright off the bone.

After surgery, it takes weeks before rehabilitation can begin, and it takes about eight months for a full recovery, Anderson said.

Anderson worked with Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey when he was recovering from the same injury.

"(Athletes)tend to lose a little bit of speed. They tend to lose a little bit of their running ability. It's a tough go. It's a real challenge to come back from. And so Darian is obviously going to have to work as hard as he did last year to get himself ready," he said.

Last year, Durant suffered a tendon injury in the elbow of his throwing arm on Sept. 7 in a gamealso against the WinnipegBlue Bombers.

The two tendoninjuries combined will have sidelined the quarterback for a total of 26 regular season games.

Anderson saidDuranthas likely already undergone surgery, because it's considered an urgent procedure.