Best of The Herd

Friday vibe, daylight show, we’re in for Colin and rolling through the afternoon. Boston just got a jolt: Jason Tatum’s back under a year after an Achilles tear, which feels fast—so, LeVar, how does that land knowing what that injury takes?

When a franchise guy goes down, the pecking order can flip. Jalen Brown has kept them near the top, so Tatum returns not just to play, but to protect his status while Brown’s name creeps into MVP chatter.

Other stars with Achilles tears like Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton are sitting because their teams stink, and Boston wasn’t even supposed to push this year after shedding key salaries. Are they speeding this up because a title feels real again—and because Tatum wants back in now?

That’s the pressure. Brown’s value is obvious, the wins are banked, and the clock’s ticking on who’s seen as the engine. Tatum’s got to jump aboard while the ship’s still within reach.

You lived the Achilles. What’s the truth of coming back this quick?

It crushes your bounce and pop; that chain from foot to glutes feels unplugged. People return, but the road is long and tight, and matching your old burst in under a year is a huge ask.

Reggie Miller floated that immediate surgery kept the body from ‘realizing’ the tear. You buying that?

Nah. Your body knows. You can’t out-race trauma by a few hours on the calendar.

And history says if your teammate wins big while you’re out—think Wentz and Foles—you might never fully reclaim the room.

Exactly. Steph became Steph while Klay was hurt, and there was no going back. This feels like a necessity play for Tatum.

Switching gears: Logan Paul says he’d outbox any NFL player and even tossed out Miles Garrett’s name. Let’s hear it.

Not a single football player could beat me in a boxing match—Miles Garrett included.

He didn’t pick a kicker; he went straight for a pass-rushing alien.

If you want real smoke, say Aaron Donald, James Harrison, Maxx Crosby, or Penei Sewell and make it MMA. This is promotion, and the Paul brothers are elite at it—though a legit ex-player fight league would print money.

Le’Veon Bell called him out, Logan said he’s not an active NFL player and not a draw, then posted a million-dollar gym-fight challenge with judges, no big event. Classic stir-the-pot.

It’s smart marketing. Name a few monsters and you’ll trend, but when real ones show up, the game changes fast.

It’s that offseason window when influencer fights pop, WrestleMania’s in Vegas, and even Tom Brady could show face. The crossover writes itself.

Do a true grappling card—WWE versus NFL legends—and let the nastiest dudes test skills, not stunts.

Dr. David Chao joins us—did Boston and the title chase speed up Tatum’s return?

Return-to-play is a mix of injury type, rehab, and context. Tatum’s timeline is fast but not unprecedented, and he’s very unlikely to be at full strength right away, so expect managed minutes to ramp ahead of the playoffs.

What about Max Crosby—was that shutdown caution or a real knee issue?

He had a meniscus repair, not a trim, which is a four-to-six-month rehab. In March he likely wouldn’t pass a physical yet, and that complicates any trade talk until teams can project his clearance.

Back to Reggie’s theory that immediate surgery kept Tatum’s body from ‘knowing’—any medical leg to stand on?

The body knows a rupture instantly; early surgery may limit swelling but doesn’t erase the damage. Advances like blood-flow restriction help, but Durant waited longer and came back fully himself—Tatum’s return now carries a performance ramp and even some re-injury risk.

Caleb Downs reportedly got a medical flag at the combine—how big a deal is that?

Flags are common and come in shades; very few are true do-not-draft situations. Many teams prioritize the first contract window anyway—think Sony Michel paying off fast despite longevity concerns.

Patrick Mahomes timeline after the knee—what’s realistic?

It’s an ACL plus LCL, more complex than a straight ACL; Carson Wentz is the closest comp. Mahomes should be himself again, but week one at 100 percent is uncertain, and the Chiefs may choose caution even if he can go.

Doc, appreciate you. We’ll keep tabs on Tatum’s ramp and the rest as it unfolds.