This is the problem with open fractures, high risk of infection. Once that happens, it's very hard to treat because antibiotics do not absorb well into bone. He probably was on IV antibiotics for 6+ weeks, and based on the number of reported surgeries, likely needed essentially a puck of antibiotics placed between both ends of bone.
I'm crossing my fingers he's on the other side of this now, but this is very different situation to the natty run 2 years ago. Very difficult to stay in shape & maintain strength while going through all this. I will be pleasantly surprised if he can contribute this year.
I'm certainly not a doctor, am not trying to pretend I am a doctor and am not going mascarade as one. However, I do coach college football and have for some time. I also happen to be close friends with our team orthopedic surgeon, who happens to also cheer for Notre Dame and is broadly aware of the injury Charles Jagusah is battling back from. I asked him his opinion on a timeline for return to play for Jagusah in 2026 and I'll paraphrase what he told me below. I'm curious if you agree with his assessment.
Our doc said the following... Without knowing the actual specifics, the following is a realistic timeline that he would recommend to the team and player if he was advising them and taking into consideration the complications Jagusah has already faced in his recovery to this point. He also added several caveats and assumptions such as... A). The infection has been fully rectified. B). The new hardware takes and associated bone growth falls inside the range of average C). There are no further complications such as future infection. D). There is no significant muscular or nerve damage that he's unaware of and E). He follows a strict / well monitored and aggressive rehab schedule.
This timeline he said is intentionally conservative considering the extensive complications associated with the injury and subsequent recovery...
Mar 18th: Surgery
May 27th (10 weeks post surgery): Return to post surgical cardiovascular and targeted lower body training with emphasis on protecting the upper body. No significant upper body weight-bearing.
Jul 8th: (16 weeks post surgery): Return to upper body strength and conditioning with a slow build back to lifting heavy with the upper body. A strength and conditioning regimen consisting of a 12 week build back towards playing, featuring the gradual reintroduction of football specific drills and and upper body impact. All the while, cardiovascular and lower body training continues.
Sept 30th (28 weeks post surgery): Return to practice with some initial limitations that are gradually removed each week, ahead of anticipated return to play.
November 7th (33.5 weeks post surgery): Return to play vs Miami with hopes of playing in the final 4 regular season games and as many as 4 playoff games.
