Aug 5 • Sports
🏈 Khalil Shakir’s High Ankle Sprain — What It Means & How Recovery Works
You may have seen that Bills WR Khalil Shakir recently suffered a high ankle sprain. Let’s break down what that actually means, and what recovery looks like for an athlete at his level — and for the rest of us, too.
🧠 What is a High Ankle Sprain?
A high ankle sprain affects the syndesmosis — the strong ligaments that hold your tibia and fibula together just above the ankle. It’s different (and usually more serious) than a typical lateral ankle sprain.
It often happens when the foot is twisted outward while planted (think: cutting, tackling, getting rolled up on).
🏃♂️ What Does Rehab Look Like?
Rehab is broken down into 3 phases:
1. Acute Phase (0–2 weeks):
- Focus on protecting the joint, reducing swelling and pain
- Boot or brace, sometimes crutches
- Light isometrics and gentle ROM to avoid stiffness
2. Subacute Phase (2–4 weeks):
- Restore mobility (dorsiflexion, plantarflexion)
- Build ankle strength around the calf muscles to reduce compensation(calf raises, resistance bands)
- Add balance + proprioception (foam pad work, single leg stance)
3. Advanced/Sport Phase (4+ weeks):
- Dynamic movements (hopping, jumping, cutting)
- Change of direction drills and sport-specific footwork
- Athletes must return to full speed without pain or compensation
- These movements will be monitored with gradual increases in on field work to properly allow the tissue to heal
⏱️ Return to Play Timeline
- Most NFL players are back between 4–6 weeks
- Lighter sprains may return sooner, more severe ones can take 8+ weeks
- Non-surgical treatment often leads to faster return compared to surgery
🚧 Limitations After Return
Even after returning, a player like Shakir may still face:
- Reduced explosiveness off the injured foot
- Slight hesitation with cutting or planting
- Risk of reinjury if not fully stable
- May require bracing or taping for support
But the good news? Research shows ~99% of athletes return to play, often at their previous level — especially when rehab is well structured and progressed properly.
💡 Takeaway
A high ankle sprain for a player like Shakir will be a significant one for someone of his play style that includes fast change of direction and short area quickness. For players in fantasy football I would monitor this situation as he gets back on the field and I would expect him to be limited even if playing.
Want help building bulletproof ankles? Drop a comment or message me.
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🏈 Khalil Shakir’s High Ankle Sprain — What It Means & How Recovery Works
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