PDC Darts Injury Report: Clayton Battles Gout, Ratajski Returns from Surgery, and Lewis Eyes Comeback

The physical demands of professional darts are rarely visible to the casual observer. The relentless travel, the hours of standing perfectly still at the oche, and the high-pressure environment take a significant structural and mental toll on the athletes. As the 2026 PDC season moves into its crucial late-summer stretch, the latest injury reports highlight several top-tier players battling severe physical ailments, managing chronic conditions, or plotting emotional returns to the sport.[1][2]

At the forefront of those playing through immense pain is Jonny Clayton. The Welsh star has been battling a severe case of gout in his ankles, a condition that causes intense joint inflammation and makes standing for prolonged periods excruciating. During the grueling Premier League campaign earlier this year, Clayton admitted that the pain made it difficult to even walk to the board, forcing him to alter his usual stage movement and endure significant discomfort during his matches.[1]

Despite the severe physical toll, Clayton has managed to maintain a world-class standard of play. He notably thrashed reigning World Champion Luke Humphries 6-1 in Nottingham to claim a nightly title, revealing afterward that his strategy was to simply keep practicing between matches. Sitting down, he explained, caused his joints to stiffen up entirely, leaving him dreading the moment he finally had to take his shoes off at the end of the night.[1]

While Clayton plays through acute pain, Krzysztof Ratajski is continuing his inspirational return to form following a life-threatening health scare. The 'Polish Eagle', once a staple of the world's top 16, saw his form dip and his ranking plummet out of the top 32 while dealing with an aneurysm that ultimately required brain surgery.[3]

Ratajski's return to the big stage was marked by a dramatic and emotional comeback victory at the World Darts Championship, where he recovered from a 3-1 deficit against Wesley Plaisier. Now fully cleared by medical professionals, Ratajski is using the 2026 season to reclaim his position among the sport's elite, stating that his health is finally back to 100 percent and his focus is entirely on climbing the Order of Merit.[3]

For veteran Gary Anderson, managing chronic physical issues has required a strategic overhaul of his entire playing calendar. The two-time World Champion has struggled with severe back problems for years, leading him to explicitly opt out of the grueling 16-week Premier League Darts circuit in 2026 to protect his body and extend his career.[2]

Anderson noted that the intense travel demands of the Premier League—which requires weekly flights across Europe—would compromise his ability to compete in European Tour and Players Championship events. "If I done the Premier League, Europeans gone, Players Championship gone," Anderson stated, emphasizing his need to concentrate on ranking events rather than the invitational showcase.[2]

The load management strategy appears to be working brilliantly for the Scotsman. By carefully selecting his tournaments and avoiding the burnout of the weekly arena tour, a resurgent Anderson has steadily returned to his finest form on the floor, proving that strategic rest and physical preservation can successfully extend a darting career at the highest level.[2][5]

In one of the most anticipated potential returns to the sport, two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis is reportedly considering a comeback to the PDC circuit. 'Jackpot' stepped away from professional darts in April 2023 to prioritize his mental health and support his family, as his wife Sarah battles an incurable kidney disease and his daughter navigates combined autism and ADHD.[4]

Lewis, now 41, has spent the last three years playing select untelevised exhibitions while taking a much-needed break from the relentless pressure and scrutiny of the main tour. Recent reports in July 2026 indicate that he is now open to talks about rejoining the professional ranks, a move that would inject a massive wave of nostalgia and excitement into the sport while highlighting the importance of taking mental health sabbaticals.[4]

Together, these individual battles highlight the hidden endurance required to survive in professional darts. From Clayton's grit in managing acute pain to Ratajski's recovery from major surgery and Anderson's calculated load management, the 2026 season serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the players behind the tungsten.[1][3][5]