Last spring, former Duke Blue Devils star Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in the playoffs with the Boston Celtics. It's an injury that should keep him out for the entire 2025-26 NBA campaign, but Tatum appears to have other ideas.

Tatum has been increasing his workload during his rehab and appears to have every intention of returning this season, and the Celtics don't seem to be discouraging him from doing so.

Considering that a torn Achilles is basically the worst injury that any athlete can suffer and generally requires a lengthy recovery time, Tatum — and the Celtics — are playing a very dangerous game here.

Boston is a decent team this season, but it has no chance of actually contending for a championship. Not after subtracting Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford over the summer. This is a transitional year for the Celtics, and that means Tatum should remain sidelined.

However, the Duke legend is a fierce competitor, and he is determined to get back on the floor as soon as possible.

This is scary for obvious reasons.

Tatum is just 27 years old. He has already achieved a whole lot on the NBA level, including winning a championship. He is under contract with Boston on a gargantuan deal through 2030. There is absolutely no reason for him to rush to return to the hardwood.

Again, it's not even like the C's are legitimately contending this season, and even if they were, it's hard to imagine Tatum returning in February or March and being even close to 100 percent by time the playoffs arrive.

Tatum and the Celtics both need to be smart about this, and it's on Boston's organization to ensure that its superstar is safe.

The Celtics initially selected Tatum with the third overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft and watched as he instantly established himself as one of the top young players in the league.

Sure, there were some growing pains, but by his third season, Tatum was already an All-Star, and he has now made six consecutive All-Star appearances.

The St. Louis native averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and six assists per game last season, notching his fourth straight First-Team All-NBA selection.

That streak of accolades will come to an end this season, but based on the progress Tatum has been making, that doesn't necessarily mean we won't see him back in action at some point in 2026.

Tatum spent one year at Durham in 2016-17, logging 16.8 points and 7.3 boards a night. He recently accepted a role as Duke's chief basketball officer.