Auston Matthews has been kept out of the Maple Leafs lineup for two playoff games and a doctor has just shared that Matthews could have suffered a severe injury to his ACL.
Recently, a post has gone viral on X showing that Auston Matthews could be dealing with a knee injury instead of an illness that is keeping him out of the lineup.
In my opinion, Auston Matthews probably tore something in his right leg on this play.
I watched his shifts after this play in game 3 and in game 4 and he looked noticeably slower and had much less jump. Tons of torque on the front and inside of the right knee, MCL/LCL tear?
In the replies to the post, Dr. Jesse Morse shared that Auston Matthews could have likely injured his MCL/meniscus and potentially his ACL.
Looks like the MCL was stressed.
The medial meniscus is attached to the deep fibers of the MCL so technically both could be injured.
If both are compromised sometimes the ACL can get injured too.
They're calling out with an ‘illness' for game 5 & 6 which is strange to me, so there may be more to this knee injury.
If Matthews' ACL is torn, which is possible, he could be sidelined for 6-9 months as ACL tears are some of the most debilitating injuries for athletes.
When asked if it was possible for Matthews to play again in the playoffs if the worst-case injuries were suffered, Dr. Morse shared a grim update for the Leafs faithful.
No.
MCL stabilizes inside of knee.
Can wear brace but twisting, pivoting and trying to skate would be severely limiting if MCL / meniscus are compromised
Even grade 1's hurt bad
Hopefully for the Leafs the reasons for Matthews being out could be overblown and he is fine to return for the Leafs sooner rather than later.
