ACL Tear(KTCL)

Timeline

1. 7 Sept

   Occurred

   Ruptured ACL (left knee) - second ACL injury (first in 2023). Suffered during semi-final clash vs Hawthorn. Expected to miss majority of 2026 season, targeting mid-season return.

   23 fixtures missed
2. 14 May

   Progress update

   Darcy Jones completed his final rehabilitation test and has been cleared to join the main group in full contact training. Return: 4-6 weeks

   GWS Giants
3. 24 May

   Setback

   Team played Round 11 — player absent from lineups. Lineup-confirmed revert (Phase 1.82E ad-hoc).

4. 26 May

   Reassessment

   4-5 weeks

   Return revised: 31 May → 28 June

   GWS Giants
5. 1 July

   Progress update

   returned to unrestricted training post-arthroscope, 3-4 weeks.

   Return revised: 28 June → 25 July

   GWS Giants
6. 28 July

   Progress update

   Now training fully with the main group; the league injury list puts him about two weeks away.

   Return revised: 25 July → 8 Aug

   GWS Giants
7. 4 Aug

   Progress update

   Reassessment

   The AFL Round 22 injury list now has the knee down as season-ending, so the 8 August return date no longer holds. Darcy Jones | Knee | Season

   Return revised: 8 Aug → 1 Oct

   AFL.com.au