What Injury? Athletes Who Bounced Back From the Injured List

A look at athletes who overcame major injuries.

Kobe Bryant - He may have brought five NBA championships to Los Angeles, but Philadelphia is the city that made Kobe Bryant. His hometown turned on him, however, when he claimed he wanted to "cut the hearts out" of the 76ers during the 2001 playoffs. Years later, he still won't apologize for the aggressive comment, but still claims he's "deeply appreciative" of everything Philly has taught him. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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The Road to Recovery - The rumor mills are swirling with news that Kobe Bryant, who was out for an Achilles injury, could be returning to the Lakers as soon as Friday, Dec. 6, to play against the Sacramento Kings. But how well will he perform? Take a look at athletes who made awesome comebacks after overcoming hard times, injuries and more. — Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Kobe Out for Rest of Season - Ouch. Kobe Bryant is going to be warming the bench for the remainder of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in Friday's 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors. The injury is his worst in his 17-year career and will keep him off the court until the start of the next season. (Photo: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant suffered from a torn Achilles heel in April, which left him out for the end of the 2012-2013 season. But Kobe is rumored to be making a comeback to the game as soon as Friday. Will the five-time champion be the same Black Mamba?(Photo: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Bulls’ Derrick Rose Is Out for the Season - Derrick Rose is getting surgery again on Nov. 25, this time for a medical meniscus tear in his right knee, Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau announced on Sunday. The same doctor who performed ACL surgery on Rose in May 2012 will perform this one. Rose will be out for the rest of the season.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Derrick Rose - Derrick Rose had his first surgery in May 2012 when he tore his ACL, which left him out for the entire 2012-1013 season. He made a comeback in 2013, but was hit with another injury and had the second major surgery of his professional career on Nov. 25 after suffering a medical meniscus tear in his right knee. Do you think Rose will comeback to the Chicago Bulls the same?(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Pelé - Pélé has one of the most fascinating comeback stories of all time. The retired Brazilian soccer player was 17 when he helped Brazil win the FIFA World Cup in 1958, then he led them to win in 1962 although he suffered a severe groin injury. In the 1966 World Cup, he was injured again in a tackle that would leave him limping and on the injured list.  But in 1970 he came back to help Brazil secure its fourth win.(Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

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Pelé - Pélé has one of the most fascinating comeback stories of all time. The retired Brazilian soccer player was 17 when he helped Brazil win the FIFA World Cup in 1958, then he led them to win in 1962 although he suffered a severe groin injury. In the 1966 World Cup, he was injured again in a tackle that would leave him limping and on the injured list.  But in 1970 he came back to help Brazil secure its fourth win.(Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Rajon Rondo - Rajon Rondo was determined to play in Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Semi-Conference Finals despite having a dislocated elbow after he and Dwyane Wade got entangled during a heated play. An injury like that should have taken the Celtics guard out for the game, but Rondo was back in the game by fourth quarter — and helped the Celtics win it.(Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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Rajon Rondo - Rajon Rondo was determined to play in Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Semi-Conference Finals despite having a dislocated elbow after he and Dwyane Wade got entangled during a heated play. An injury like that should have taken the Celtics guard out for the game, but Rondo was back in the game by fourth quarter — and helped the Celtics win it.(Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

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Michael Jordan - Who remembers Michael Jordan’s performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in 1997 against the Utah Jazz? Jordan had one of the most stunning games of his career, with 38 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Bulls to a 90-88 win — all while battling the flu. Jordan was vomiting up until game time, but his relentlessness led the Bulls to a 3-2 game lead in the series.(Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

2008 U.S. Open - Woods’s birdie putt 19-hole playoff in the final round was enough to beat U.S. opponent Rocco Mediate for the win, marking his 14th major title win. A testament to Woods’s tenacity, he played under the stress of a torn ACL and stress fracture in his leg. (Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

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Tiger Woods - Tiger Woods was diagnosed with a double stress fracture in his left tibia two weeks prior to the 2008 U.S. Open, but that didn’t stop him. According to his swing coach, Woods told the doctors, “I'm playing the U.S. Open, and I'm going to win.” That he did; Woods went 91 holes and defeated Rocco Mediate on the 19th hole.(Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

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Garrison Hearst - Football injuries can be gruesome, and no one knows that better than Garrison Hearst. The former San Francisco 49ers baller suffered from a cracked ankle after a tackle went wrong in a January 1999 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Hearst was on the injured list for two years, but in 2001 he came back, shocking fans when he ran for 1,206 yards.(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Magic Johnson - When Magic Johnson’s HIV test was positive in 1991, he shocked the world when he announced his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers after 13 seasons. Although he was ill, Magic was not done. He came back to play in the 1995-1996 season, averaging 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds per game.(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images)

Andre Ward Is Suing Promoters - Olympic gold medalist boxer Andre Ward made his comeback this November, and he is preparing to fight another battle — against his promoter, Goossen Tutor Promotions, claiming his nine-year contract violates California labor laws. Ward claims his 2001 contract prevents him from fighting for any other promoters for his entire career.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Andre Ward - After more than 14 months out of the ring to recover from shoulder surgery, middleweight Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward returned to the ring on Nov. 16. Although he did not have to defend his title, he defeated Edwin Rodriguez 118-106, 117-107, 116-108.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Bongarts/Getty Images)