Physical Performance Manager Brett Burton said that Leuenberger had been progressing well and is on track to resume running in the second half of the season.
“Leuey’s injury is obviously very disappointing for him, however his attitude to his rehabilitation has been fantastic,” Burton said.
“We won't be taking any risks with his rehab progressions, given the severity of the injury, the position he plays and the tasks involved with that (i.e. Jumping) and the load a player of his size (204cm) puts through his Achilles."
"At this stage we won't be putting an exact return to play date as it is more of a progression-based rehabilitation than a time-based one. So for now he will be listed as 'indefinite' and when he is back running again we will have a clearer idea of when he is likely to be available to play."
The silver lining to Leuenberger’s injury has been the emergence of first-round draft pick Billy Longer, who has shouldered the Lions’ ruck load in tandem with veteran Ben Hudson.
“It’s great to see Billy developing and improving, and to have Huddo’s experience too should mean our ruck department is well taken care of in Leuey’s absence,” Burton said.
Leuenberger is no stranger to rehabilitation, having spent periods of time on the sidelines at the start of his career with a knee injury in 2008 and 2009.
After that, however, he became one of the Lions’ most durable players, playing in all 22 matches in both 2010 and 2011.
