Right Knee Injured, Diagnosed With Grade 1 ACL Sprain. What Are The Best Ways To Strengthen Knees?

Hello Doctor, my 12 year old nephew injured his right knee two weeks ago Sunday while playing in his pony league football game.. Not wanting to take any chances an MRI was done and he was diagnosed with a grade 1 ACL sprain ...Since the game he hurt it in was the first of two playoff games his team would have to win to be in their little Superbowl , we told him if he was very good about staying off it-(other than school)-, and sitting out last weeks second playoff game--which I was almost hoping they would lose so the superbowl wouldn t be an issue anymore lol --that we would possibly let him get on the field for (restricted & limited play) in their Superbowl this Saturday...Also, instead of playing his usual position as the teams leading offensive running back he would have to play the other position he occasionally plays as a DEFENSIVE back, (where we figured HE could have more control of where or if he had any contact). I know this may seem a bit silly to you & me but to a twelve year old boy who eats, sleeps and dreams the game and has worked very hard along with his teammates to get to this last game of the season unbeaten, it s a pretty big deal! We have an appt. with his doctor this afternoon so he can take a last look at it and of course if he says he shouldn t play that will be that. I guess I just figured that you can never get too many doctors opinions. One last thing doctor, since this was not a tear and Joey will have until next season to really let it heal, this is not the type of injury that will make him any more prone to it in the future, will it? When an injury like this has plenty of time to heal shouldn t he be able to make his knee as strong and even stronger than ever? What are the best and safest ways to strengthening your knees? Thank you very much and have a great day, uncle Stephen :)