As Kansas City Chiefs training camp comes to a close, a major injury update was shared with the media regarding second-year defensive end Ashton Gillotte. Gillotte was diagnosed with a ruptured plantar fascia after being injured during Tuesday’s practice.
The injury affects an already thin defensive line group. Gillotte did not play in the preseason opener due to a prior
hamstring injury. Fortunately, Reid downplayed the severity of the second-year pro’s injury during his media availability.
How serious is a ruptured plantar fascia, and when can we expect Gillotte to return to the lineup?
The injury
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that connects the calcaneus (heel bone) to all five toes. The plantar fascia absorbs shock and supports the arch of the foot. It also acts as a “spring” of sorts, assisting to propel the foot forward with each step. Plantar fascia strain is very common in athletes and non-athletes alike and can result in plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition.
As with all soft tissue injuries, strains and tears are graded on a scale to determine severity of injury. A rupture of the plantar fascia indicates a complete tearing of the soft tissue. A ruptured plantar fascia initially results in sudden and intense sharp pain, difficulty weight-bearing, bruising, and swelling.
Fortunately for Gillotte, a complete rupture offers a better prognosis and quicker return to play than a partial tear. Once past the acute phase of higher pain, the pain does subside, and normal weight bearing can be restored. Any injury involving the plantar fascia is painful, but it can be managed, allowing professional athletes to return to the field quickly.
A defensive end obviously requires a great deal of power to get off the line quickly and fight off blocks. Once Gillotte’s pain has decreased, restoring power and get-off will be essential to returning to his prior level of play and returning to the field.
The bottom line
It is certainly realistic for Gillotte to be available for the Chiefs in Week 1. The second-year pro is looking to build upon a slow start to his professional career. Gillotte appeared in all 17 games and had 1.5 sacks along with an interception during his rookie year.
It shouldn’t be shocking to expect Gillotte to miss the rest of the preseason and likely be a limited participant in most practices. As long as Gillotte’s rehab goes according to plan, however, this should not be an injury that sidelines him for a significant portion of the beginning of the regular season.
The Chiefs open their 2026 season at home on “Monday Night Football” against their division rival, the Denver Broncos.
