Lindsey Vonn has a torn ACL. Lindsey Vonn is still going to compete in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Those two sentences at odds with each other, but they are both true.
Vonn, who tore her ACL during a fall Friday, announced Tuesday that she still plans to compete at the Olympics despite the injury. She plans to wear a knee brace when she participates in the women’s downhill Sunday.
Advertisement
Given the severity and nature of the injury, Vonn’s desire to try and compete on a shredded knee feels like it shouldn’t be possible. A torn ACL typically results in about a year of rehab, and that’s if both surgery and recovery go well. Some athletes have missed even more time trying to return from one of sport’s most devastating injuries.
But a select few have actually pushed through the pain and competed despite torn ACLs. Those players typically don’t last long before they need to undergo surgery, but what Vonn is attempting has been done in the past.
Here is a list of players who have managed to keep playing through a torn ACL:
NFL
Garrison Hearst, Arizona Cardinals, 1993
It’s unclear whether Garrison Hearst played on a torn ACL in college. The injury was discovered during the 1993 NFL scouting combine, though Hearst claimed he had not experienced knee pain during his time at Georgia. Hearst opted to not immediately undergo surgery, and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 3 overall pick that year. Hearst then reportedly sustained another injury to the same knee during his rookie season in the NFL and underwent surgery after just six games. The exact nature of that surgery is not known, but Hearst may have played a few games in the NFL with a torn ACL.
Advertisement
Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback 2008
Former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers’ toughness is not in question. The long-time vet — who improbably returned to the NFL in 2025 — is tied for third with 243 consecutive starts in the NFL. While this particular instance didn’t count toward that streak, it proves his willingness to gut out injuries. In 2008, Rivers played the AFC Championship game six days after tearing his ACL and meniscus in his right knee. The Chargers lost the contest 21-12. Rivers finished the contest 19 for 37, with 211 passing yards and two interceptions.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, 2017
In the midst of a possible MVP season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz sustained a torn ACL. The injury occurred during the team’s Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Wentz injured his knee during a third-quarter touchdown run that was called back due to a penalty. He attempted two more passes on the drive, completing a two-yard touchdown to Alshon Jeffery to finish the drive. Wentz, however, was replaced by Nick Foles the next time the Eagles’ offense took the field. Wentz then underwent season-ending surgery, missing the rest of the regular season and playoffs.
Advertisement
NHL
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks center, 2017
With the San Jose Sharks tied 1-1 with the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2017 playoffs, Joe Thornton returned from a torn ACL and MCL to play in the final four games of the series. He managed two assists over those four games, though couldn’t lead the Sharks to a win in the series. After the extent of Thornton’s injuries were revealed, then-Sharks coach Peter DeBoer called it «as courageous an effort … as I’ve ever seen.»
Kyle Palmieri, New York Islanders forward, 2025
With the Islanders trailing 3-0, forward Kyle Palmieri took an ugly hit into the boards, tearing his ACL. Play wasn’t stopped, however, as Palmieri somehow got up and gingerly made his way back to the team’s bench. On the way there, he stole the puck from Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae. Palmieri then passed it to Jonathan Drouin, who passed it to Emil Heineman, who scored the first goal of the game for the Islanders. Palmieri was credited with an assist as he left the ice to go get his knee examined.
Advertisement
NBA
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics guard, 2013
During a January game against the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo tore his ACL … and stayed in the game for 12 more minutes. While it’s unclear exactly when Rondo sustained the injury, it’s believed it happened during a drive to the basket in the fourth quarter. Rondo remained in the contest after that and even intended to play in the team’s next game before team doctors examined his knee 24 minutes before tip-off. Rondo originally believed he was dealing with a hamstring issue, and had intended to continue playing through what was actually a torn ACL.
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors guard, 2019
During Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson tore his ACL on a foul late in the third quarter. Thompson initially started to leave the game, but returned to the court to shoot his free throws. Thompson knew he wouldn’t be allowed to return to the game had another player taken those shots, so he took them himself. Thompson made both shots before leaving the contest. He was unable to return to the contest, which the Warriors lost.
Tiger Woods during the final round of the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, CA. on Sunday, December 16, 2007. (Photo by Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(Stephen Osman via Getty Images)
Golf
Tiger Woods, 2007
At some point in 2007, Tiger Woods ruptured his ACL while running at home. Instead of immediately having surgery, Woods opted to play through the injury. He won five of his next six events before eventually having his ACL repaired in 2008.
Advertisement
NCAA
Robert Griffin III, Baylor quarterback, 2009
During a 68-13 win over Northwestern State, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III threw three touchdowns in the first half after sustaining a torn ACL in the victory. Griffin, who was injured on the team’s first drive, remained in the contest until halftime, believing he had hyperextended his knee. An MRI later revealed he tore his ACL. Griffin missed the rest of the season due to the injury.
MJ Metz, Duke designated hitter, 2023
During the regional round of the NCAA baseball tournament, Duke graduate transfer MJ Metz played four games on a torn ACL. He performed incredibly well, going 8-for-18, with four home runs and eight RBI despite the injury. Mets served as the team’s designated hitter and played with a brace to stabilize his knee. He appeared in three more games in the super regional round, going 4-for-11 to finish out the year.
Advertisement
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana quarterback, 2024
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke played his final NCAA season with a torn ACL, his agent revealed last January. Rourke managed 29 touchdowns against five interceptions with Indiana, leading the team to an 11-2 record. He underwent surgery to repair the injury last January and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft that April. He spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve.
Athletes who played without ACLs
While it’s not exactly the same, there have been cases of some athletes having successful professional careers despite not having ACLs. Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward has openly talked about that phenomenon, saying he found out he didn’t have an ACL ahead of the 1998 NFL Draft.
He’s not the only NFL player with that story. Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has played three seasons in the NFL without an ACL in one of his knees.
Advertisement
Over in the NBA, former San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair played seven seasons in the league despite not having either of his ACLs. Blair reportedly had two surgeries in high school that eventually resulted in him no longer having ACLs in his knees.
UFC and WWE star Ronda Rousey said in October that she does not have an ACL in her right knee. She said she first discovered she had no ACL in her right knee after undergoing an MRI at age 16. She went on to win a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics and became one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history.
