Jayson Tatum injury update changes outlook for Celtics’ season

Jayson Tatum has hit another milestone in his comeback from a torn right Achilles. 

The Boston Celtics have not missed a beat without him and sit third in the Eastern Conference. But Tatum has stayed busy behind the scenes, and his rehab work has ramped up.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Tatum has started playing five-on-five with coaches. That's a big step up from solo workouts and limited drills. It shows his recovery is moving along without any major setbacks.

"Sources tell me Jayson Tatum has started controlled five-on-five scrimmaging with coaches. He has aggressively attacked his rehab at every turn. And listen, there are more boxes for Jayson Tatum to check. There are more phases in his rehab. He's got to practice with the team, of course," Charania reported.

"And Jayson Tatum has made clear to people around him, from my understanding, that he wants to come back as close to Jayson Tatum as Jayson Tatum as possible. Not a shell of himself, not a lesser percentage of himself. And the other side of all that is the Celtics medical staff will have to clear him 100 percent before he can return."