Chiefs tight end Wiley cites mental recovery as key to ACL rehabilitation
Jared Wiley describes offseason training regimen and reflects on limited 2024 availability ahead of new season
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jared Wiley has outlined the physical and psychological hurdles of his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained during his rookie campaign in 2024. Speaking to reporters following practice at Missouri Western State University on Monday, the 25-year-old player emphasised that rebuilding trust in his body was as critical as the physical rehabilitation process itself.
Wiley, who appeared in just five games last season, described his performance during the previous year’s training camp and preseason as "awful" and "terrible" upon reviewing footage. He noted that lingering stiffness and swelling had significantly impacted his on-field mechanics, forcing him to operate with a level of hesitation that hindered his effectiveness.
The tight end highlighted the importance of participating in Organised Training Activities (OTAs) this offseason as a turning point in his recovery. By engaging in active workouts rather than passive rehabilitation, including Pilates, route running, and weightlifting, Wiley stated he was able to work through the "growing pains" associated with his injury. This shift in training methodology allowed him to move past the mental block of fearing re-injury during gameplay.
"I would say the main thing was mentally trusting yourself," Wiley told reporters. He explained that the repetitive nature of OTAs helped desensitise him to the physical sensations of the knee, allowing him to play without the constant cognitive load of monitoring his injury status, a stark contrast to his experience in 2024.
Wiley’s 2024 season was prematurely cut short by the ACL tear, during which he recorded one reception for four yards and spent the majority of his time on special teams. Prior to his time with the Chiefs, he was a standout performer at TCU, earning first-team All-Big 12 honours in 2023 with 47 receptions for 520 yards and eight touchdowns.
In the recent preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Wiley recorded one catch for nine yards. While the statistical output remains modest, the player indicated that feeling like himself again is the primary metric for his readiness heading into the new season.
