High Ankle Sprain(ATLH)

Timeline

1. R1811 July

   Occurred

   Serious ankle injury — ankle caught beneath him attempting a third-quarter tackle against St Kilda; helped from the ground and took no further part. Scans to determine severity; early reporting canvasses a season-ending outcome.

   6 fixtures missed

   vs STK

2. 14 July

   Reassessment

   Port Adelaide confirm ankle syndesmosis (high ankle) undergoing surgery this week.

   Port Adelaide FC
3. 28 July

   Progress update

   Reassessment

   AFL Round 21 Medical Room (28 July) updated the return guidance to 2026-08-21. Zak Butters — Ankle — 3-4 weeks

   Return revised: 5 Sept → 21 Aug

   AFL.com.au
4. 18 Aug

   Progress update

   Progress update

   AFL Medical Room R24 lists Zak Butters as a test to play this round. Zak Butters | Ankle | Test

   AFL.com.au
5. 20 Aug

   Progress update

6. 23 Aug

   Setback

   Not named in the Round 24 team or emergencies against Essendon — the Achilles has not come up in time.

7. 20 Sept

   Progress update

   The club's 2026 season is over and no fixture remains, so the lapsed return forecast is retired to the 2027 pre-season; the next possible return is pre-season training.

   Return revised: 21 Aug → 1 Mar