In a sight sure to please the purple faithful, Ryan Papenhuyzen has taken the next steps in his road to recovery, running outdoors at a Storm training session for the first time in nine months since the knee injury that ended his 2022 season.
He was joined in rehab drills by Nelson Asofa-Solomona who is on the way back from a knee injury sustained in round two.
Speaking on Mornings with Matty on SEN Sydney, the star fullback detailed what for him was a milestone as he returned to the training paddock.
“It’s a massive milestone from the outside in,” Papenhuyzen explained.
“I’m trying to not get too excited. Back running the other day, it was good to put the boots back on – it’s been nearly nine months now since I’ve had a run. I’m just getting the body used to that again, the boys got around me which was pretty cool.
“There’s still a lot of work to go but a big milestone in that regard.”
A specific return date to play is still off the cards for now but the progress is promising for the 24 year-old.
In Due Time
“There is still a long way to go to get back to where I need to be but it ticks that first box which is good,” Papenhuyzen said.
“At the moment now I’m back running. It will be seeing how I back up on certain days and if I can do a back to back run.
“Once I get a gauge on that (how Papenhuyzen recovers from running sessions) there will be more of a timeline but at the moment it’s trying to figure that out.
“Nothing is set in stone as yet but it’s all looking promising for a return at some point.”
Listen to the full interview, here.
