Joe Edwards: Injured Plymouth Argyle captain out until 2025

Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards is facing a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.

A scan has revealed that Edwards has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will require surgery.

The injury is a major blow for Argyle, who are currently 15th in League One.

Edwards has been a key player for the Pilgrims since joining from Fleetwood Town in 2020.

He has made 86 appearances for the club and has scored four goals.

Edwards' injury is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Argyle this season.

The Pilgrims have also been without midfielder Conor Grant, who has been out with a hamstring injury since August.

Argyle are next in action on Saturday when they host Exeter City in the FA Cup.

The ACL is a ligament that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia).

It helps to stabilize the knee joint and prevents it from buckling.

ACL injuries are most commonly caused by sudden changes in direction or deceleration.

They can also be caused by direct contact, such as a tackle in football.

The symptoms of an ACL injury can include:

The treatment for an ACL injury typically involves surgery.

The surgery aims to repair or reconstruct the ACL.

After surgery, the patient will need to undergo a period of rehabilitation to regain the full range of motion and strength in the knee.

The recovery time from an ACL injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury.

Most patients will need to undergo a period of rehabilitation for 6-12 months before they can return to full activity.