Do Achilles injuries still destroy careers?

Tough to answer, so many variables.

Age is a big factor in any recovery, concerning Kobe.

Severity of the tear, partial versus complete tear.

I don't think it's near as bad now as it was, especially if you're an early to mid 20's player, and a partial tear.

A complete tear is still pretty devastating it would seem.

I would say it depends on the athlete, the Achilles is virtually essential for your power and explosiveness. So if you're a player that is just physically faster than everyone, the physical limitations would be huge.

Present day, and due to his age and the minutes he is currently playing coming off this injury last season, Wes Matthews is probably Exhibit A in monitoring how a player might ultimately come back from this injury.

In comparison to players that have past ruptured their Achilles, Matthews was back shooting exceptionally quick.

Terrell Suggs tore his and was back on the football field like 5 months later and crushed it.

It's definitely the Achilles Heel of injuries.

tendon tears in the knee and ankle still basically frick shite up. the medical advancement in tendon replacement hasn't advanced as quickly as ligament replacement

Sure did in cam cleeland

Currently, Brandon Jennings is not the same after his injury.

Vinny Testerverde ruptured his achilles as well.

I ruptured my left achilles 15 years ago. It still gives me problems.

Partial Tears - No
Complete Tendon Rupture - sometimes yes

A lot depends on age, the individual's genetics, if they've had other serious lower body injuries, and the rehab process.

A younger athlete with no other major lower body injuries can recover 100% but the rehab is key and we know a lot more about how to rehab these injuries today. After my tear I did rehab with Tulane's sports medicine people and the focus was on regaining flexibility and full body balance first. They said how they treat/rehab these injuries today is light years different then the old days.