Texas A&M senior LB on track to return 'soon' after fibula injury

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Among the three Texas A&M players who accompanied third-year coach Mike Elko to SEC Media Days this week, senior linebacker Daymion Sanford spoke at length about his recovery after suffering a lower-body injury during the Maroon & White Game that required surgery over three months ago.

Alongside redshirt junior quarterback Marcel Reed and senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe, Sanford was not wearing a walking boot or any exterior protection, which, on the surface, looked like a great sign that the star defender has made significant progress and could return to the lineup earlier than previously expected.

However, when asked about a potential return date, Mike Elko remains unsure, while Sanford sounded much more optimistic, telling On3's Carter Karels that Texas A&M's training staff and doctors have aided in speeding up his recovery, which could result in returning to the field before the second half of the 2026 season.

"It's been going along good," he told Karels. "I've been working with the training staff; we've got the best training staff and doctors in the country, and they've been doing a lot with me. So I've been doing pretty good."

Last season, Sanford exploded on the scene after senior linebacker Scooby Williams dealt with injury issues, ranking fourth on the team in tackles with 57, paired with 3.5 sacks, an interception, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. A 2026 team captain, the Katy (TX) native is widely considered one of the best and most important players on the roster, while his mental toughness has been vital in getting through this latest hurdle.

“I think it’s going to be pretty difficult,” Sanford stated. “But it’s more of a mindset thing that I’ve learned throughout this process. You have to celebrate the small wins every day and make yourself feel good. So I’ve been celebrating the small wins, like being able to walk again, being able to get out of the brace, being able to run, stuff like that.”

Working with S&C coach Tommy Moffitt throughout his recovery process, getting back to football-playing shape and building back his lower body strength will require hard work and dedication, constant support from his teammates, and Mike Elko, who never had a second thought of including Sanford in the SEC Media Days lineup, which is a testament to the respect he has gained entering his final season in College Station.

“Because he had an injury in the spring game, I don’t think should take away from the fact that he’s earned the right to represent this program here at (SEC) Media Days,” Elko said. “I’m proud of who he is. I’m proud of what he’s done. I’m proud of how he represents the program. And because of that, he should be here.”

While it remains unclear exactly when Daymion Sanford will return to the starting lineup, Tulsa transfer linebacker Ray Coney and rising sophomore Noah Mikhail will fill out the starting rotation, placing a ton of pressure on a unit that must fill the void after three-year starter Taurean York departed for the NFL.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M senior LB on track to return 'soon' after fibula injury

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