Tom Izzo provides update on Jaden Akins injury, timeline for return

Michigan State guard Jaden Akins underwent surgery to repair a stress reaction in his left foot early in September. While college basketball insider Jeff Goodman initially reported the recovery would take approximately a month, but an updated picture suggests that the return process could be elongated in an attempt to keep him healthy throughout the season.

On Tuesday, Tom Izzo provided an update on how Michigan State identified Jaden Akins’ injury quickly and likely avoided a more serious setback.

“Thank God they caught it before it broke through,” said Izzo, via Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal. “We’re not going to put him out there early to jeopardize his season. …He’s down there cranking it on that bike. So he’ll be in shape when he comes back.”

While there is no specifics set for Akins’ timeline, it appears the early diagnosis helped keep him in the picture for important games as the season progresses. While Izzo will not risk further injuries early in the season, he will hope to have the sophomore back in a big role for important games.

More on Jaden Akins

Jeff Goodman, one of college basketball’s top insider analysts, notes that he spoke to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo recently and “he was raving about his progress,” while “hopeful it will be a breakout season.”

Akins was a contributor for the Spartans off the bench last year as the team put together an NCAA Tournament appearance and won its opening-round game prior to exiting the Big Dance with a loss to Duke in the Round of 32.

He averaged 14.8 minutes per game and notched 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.