Zach Tom Tracking Toward Return After Surgical Patellar Tendon Repair

Zach Tom (Green Bay Packers OL) underwent offseason surgery to address a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee — a significant structural injury that required surgical intervention and resets the recovery clock from the procedure date, not the original injury event. Listed as Questionable heading into the 2026 season, his status sits at the edge of the expected post-surgical recovery window for this injury type.

Grade INFERRED as Grade 2 (partial tear) from reported language ("partially torn"); surgical repair is CONFIRMED per reporting. Classification: TEN / Grade 2 (surgical) / LE — . Patellar tendon surgical repair carries a literature-supported functional RTP of 9–12 months, with full biological remodeling extending well beyond clearance. A "Questionable" designation at approximately 6–9 months post-surgery is within the early end of the functional recovery window, but the biology here demands caution — returning a surgically repaired patellar tendon before adequate tensile strength is restored carries documented reinjury risk. For an offensive lineman absorbing repetitive squat-stance loading and high-mass collision forces on every snap, this is not an injury to compress. Any Questionable-to-active progression should be tracked closely across the weekly practice participation arc.