If I get this message:

"Hey Coach - the injury was much worse than I initially thought, looks like - torn calf muscle. I'm going to have a specialist take a look to provide a second opinion, but my estimate is that Aleshire will be out at least 9 days. Even after that, he won't be at 100%, that's just when I'd give him the green light to start practicing again. I know, it's not the news I wanted to deliver either."

I think that pretty much says :Guy is out for the season" no? nine days until he can start to practice is nine days to reach fifty percent, then another seven to nine days until he's at 100% . . .

what is his health % right now

I ignore the message and just look at the health, see how much he improves the first night, more than likely 4 or 5%, then divide the % remaining to improve by the improvement rate to calculate the days

but yes - he is out a long time

5%. Its the largest injury I've ever had. the previous largest was about 80%.

Guys typically go up by 5% so I'd say you'd get him back around game 20. (at 100 percent i mean)

You can probably play him at 80% but his effectiveness will be reduced

Yah. At 8o percent or better, I've always pretty much just played them through it. Switching from tired to farily fresh on the meter, unless the backup was very close ratings wise.

is there any chance for a medical redshirt? I know they exist, but have not heard of anyone ever getting one?

I recently read of one coach who got a medical redshirt. We can't request them, though. They are just granted by WIS.

To 5% in the first game of the season - If anyone deserves a medshirt, this is the guy.

I had a guy get a medical several seasons ago. He was injured in game 3 or 4 and went down to 1%. I had to be careful late in the season though that he did not get into a game. Here is the rule:

Q. Who is eligible for a medical hardship waiver?
A. Players are eligible if they have participated in less than 20% of the scheduled season (5 games) and the illness or injury occurs in the first half of the season. The illness or injury must result in an incapacity to compete for the remainder of the season. Players who have already had a redshirt season or a prior waiver are not eligible.

So for Aleshire, who went down in game one. . .if he didn't play until game 22, he might qualify? And even if he doesn't. . once he becomes elligible to play again at 50%, at what point is he liable to start complaining about a lack of playing time?