Patellar Tendinopathy(KTPT)
Knee · Tendon · Long-term injury
Timeline
- 14 June
Occurred
Ruptured patellar tendon in left knee. Landed awkwardly after taking intercept mark vs GWS in Round 14 home defeat. Initially expected fit for Round 1, 2026, but experienced complications during rehabilitation requiring additional knee surgery (Feb 2026). Return timeline to be determined post-surgery.
14 fixtures missed - 25 May
Progress update
"Lions expect to get Payne back following their bye this weekend" — Payne has been ACTIVE since 2025-06-14 ruptured patellar tendon. Brisbane have a R12 home game 2026-05-30; targeting that fixture.
AFL.com.au - 30 May
Setback
Team played Round 12 — player absent from lineups. Lineup-confirmed revert (Phase 1.82E).
- 30 June
Reassessment
Ruptured patellar tendon in left knee — diagnosis confirmed since June 2025 surgery; sharpened from generic KNXX (knee unspecified) to KTPT (patellar tendon) and matured to CONFIRMED
- 30 June
Progress update
Complications in rehab required a second knee operation in Feb 2026; a patellar tendon rupture needs 9-12 months for an elite return, ruling Payne out for all of 2026 and targeting a 2027 comeback. Club timeframe is officially TBC, so this anchors to the 2027 season opener as a clinical estimate rather than an imminent return.
Return revised: 6 June → 1 Mar
Brisbane Lions
Fixture impact
Season fixture context — rounds missed, at risk, and upcoming