The surgeon's estimate means absolutely nothing. He can say 3 weeks and he wouldn't be held accountable for that because several variables can affect the outcome so surgeons tend to underestimate how quickly players return from these injuries for business reasons. If he said he would return in 8-10 weeks, another surgeon will promise a quicker recovery time and guess where the patient is going. Not only am I a physician, I've assisted on this exact procedure. The truth is the surgeon doesn't really know because it depends on several variables that he isn't aware of until he operates and sees it directly in the OR. Surgeons provide these estimates based on clinical signs, MRI and CT results. They are not held accountable for their return date because as just mentioned, several variables can alter the return time and he won't know that until he or she performs the procedure and follows up with the patient because are there are post-operative complications such as infection and the patient's own ability to heal.
Based on my personal experience, for a cornerback or a receiver to be 100%, it's going to take much longer 4 weeks. And to be honest, I don't think he will be 100% this season, even in January. You have to understand that cornerbacks put an incredible amount of stress on that muscle because they sprint on every snap. He will play but you will see that he won't be the same this season. I'm not suggesting he can't suit up in 4 weeks but he won't be the same.
