When the Syracuse football team takes the field on Saturday night in the annual Spring Game at the JMA Wireless Dome, freshman Calvin Russell III won't be playing.

The wide receiver, who is one of the highest-rated recruits in program history, tore his Achilles tendon recently at spring practice. Though those injuries typically take six months to a year for a full recovery, head coach Fran Brown has said that he hopes to have Russell back on the field by late October or November.

For comparison, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics took 10 months to return from a torn Achilles. Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers tore his Achilles in June and has yet to return.

Thus, it's clear that Russell's timeline is ambitious. 

Despite the uncertainty around his health and his recovery, Russell also recently indicated that he still plans to play both basketball and football for Syracuse. Presumably, he'd join the basketball program after the football season has concluded.

Per Syracuse.com:

“Definitely,” Russell said when asked if basketball would remain part of his future at Syracuse. “Speaking of basketball, I just talked to Coach (Gerry McNamara). Went by the office, talked to him, had a nice talk. I’m ready for stuff to start up.”

The Florida native graduated high school early to enroll at Syracuse for the second semester of this academic year. Upon entering the university, he immediately joined the basketball program under previous head coach Adrian Autry, despite not actually playing a senior season of high school hoops.

He appeared in one game for the Orange, scoring two points. 

On the gridiron, he's a gifted receiver, earning a five-star recruiting rating heading into this recruiting cycle. Before getting hurt, he made his presence felt on the practice field. Eventually, he'll be a dynamic part of head coach Fran Brown's offense.

Saturday is set to be the busiest day of the spring for the Orange athletic department. The nationally ranked women's lacrosse team is in action against Notre Dame, while the nationally-ranked men take on Virginia at 4 p.m. ET. The Spring Game is set for 7:30 p.m. and the SU women's basketball team is hosting a pair of high-profile transfer recruits.

The Orange women, after reaching the NCAA Tournament this past season, are set to lose a large portion of their roster to the portal, so these visits carry extra importance.

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