Adelaide coach Don Pyke has revealed how key forward Josh Jenkins managed to return from injury so rapidly.
Jenkins suffered a hyperextension of the knee in the dying minutes of the Round 13 win over Richmond - with many fearing an ACL tear.
The 30-year-old was expected to miss anywhere between four and six weeks but has managed to return after missing just one game (thanks in part to the bye week).
“Early signs we were concerned from an ACL viewpoint,” Pyke told the media at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
“But once we cleared that up, it was a matter of how quickly it was going to settle down.”
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Pyke likened the situation to Paul Seedsman, who suffered a similar injury in Round Three against Geelong.
“He (Seedsman) had a bit more extensive bone bruising,” Pyke said.
“Josh was able to get away with not too much of that (and) then it was just getting the swelling down.
“He’s surprised himself (with) how quickly he’s come good.”
Injured teammates Tom Lynch and Cam Ellis-Yolmen were not quite as lucky.
Pyke said the Club would take a cautious view to Lynch’s return.
“We sort of had high hopes to be two or three weeks, but it’s just dragged on a bit,” Pyke said.
“He trained pretty much fully on Wednesday and did the whole session but could still feel it on one movement.
“Given the demands and speed of the game... we don’t want to push it.”
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Ellis-Yolmen was sore throughout the main training session on Wednesday due to a shin problem.
“We’re going to have to back him off for a little period,” Pyke said.
“I don’t know how long that will be, whether it’s one or two weeks...
“We need to make sure we get it right before he gets back to playing.”