Darian Durant's season-ending injury is one of the worst sports injuries to recover from, according to one Regina physical therapist. Durant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the season opener against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday. He will miss the rest of the season

"He'll start almost at the floor," said Scott Anderson.

"(Durant) literally when he comes out of that cast, will have very little movement. He'll have lost a tremendous amount of size in his calf. At first he will be learning how to walk," said the University of Regina physical therapist.

Anderson explained the Achilles tendon attaches the two calf muscles to the foot. A rupture happens when the tendon tears on its own, or when it's torn right off the bone.

After surgery, it takes weeks before rehabilitation can begin, and it takes about eight months for a full recovery, Anderson said.

Anderson worked with Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey when he was recovering from the same injury.

"(Athletes) tend to lose a little bit of speed. They tend to lose a little bit of their running ability. It's a tough go. It's a real challenge to come back from. And so Darian is obviously going to have to work as hard as he did last year to get himself ready," he said.

Last year, Durant suffered a tendon injury in the elbow of his throwing arm on Sept. 7 in a game also against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The two tendon injuries combined will have sidelined the quarterback for a total of 26 regular season games.

Anderson said Durant has likely already undergone surgery, because it's considered an urgent procedure.

