The rodeo world collectively winced for Marty Yates on March 26, 2026, in Waxahachie, Texas.

The 11-time NFR qualifier was roping in the slack at Waxahachie on March 26 when everything went sideways. What started as just another run turned into a season-stopping injury in a split second—one that now has Yates staring down surgery.

Yates suffered a bucket-handle meniscus tear with displacement, along with a tear in the lateral meniscus. The lateral collateral ligament is also damaged, though it will not require surgical repair.

Enter Dr. Tandy Freeman, the longtime Justin Sportsmedicine medical director who’s seen just about every rodeo injury under the sun. Freeman has Yates scheduled for surgery on April 15, but this won’t be a quick scope-and-go situation. The concern, as it stands, is what’s going on around the nerves—something that won’t be fully known until they open the knee up and get a look inside, as the MRI didn’t paint a pretty picture. Freeman is also concerned about nerve involvement affecting Yates’ gaskin muscle, which could deteriorate if not addressed.

For Yates, this is a brutal blow at a time when he’s been riding a steady wave of consistency. The 31-year-old Stephenville, Texas, man sits No. 5 in the PRCA world standings with $39,703 won on the year. He finished 12th in the world standings in 2025 and has amassed more than $2.2 million in career earnings. He’s been busy picking up checks most of the winter, highlighted by a second-place finish at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo worth $12,000.

Knee injuries like this don’t come with quick turnarounds, especially with the added concern of ligament and possible nerve damage. The timeline is expected to be 4–6 months, though recovery will ultimately depend on what Dr. Tandy finds during surgery. One key factor in the decision against a simple scope procedure is that Yates has been unable to bear weight on the injury—an indicator of the severity compared to more manageable meniscus tears.

Yates had a pair of Hashtags-sired geldings on the trailer this winter that had people paying attention—SR Beefcake, “Snoop,” which he rode some last year and TLC Stuntin Like Dad, “Tag,” who made his rodeo debut in 2026. For now, they’ll be playing the waiting game as Yates looks for more answers on April 15.