Survivor’s Kyle Fraser Details Argument With Jeff Probst Over Injury

Kyle Fraser wanted to play through the pain.

The winner of Survivor season 48 had to leave the show’s 50th season, an all-star edition, because of a torn ACL. He recently revealed that he argued with host Jeff Probst, hoping to still be able to compete.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly on February 26th, Kyle revealed he would have continued on the show. He explained he tried to convince the producers to let him stay, and Jeff can confirm they had a lengthy discussion about it. Kyle even offered to sign a waiver, pointing out his legal background, because he believed his tribe was planning to keep him in the competition.

Kyle was injured while assisting Colby Donaldson during an immunity challenge. He fell while helping Colby reach the top of a structure and initially appeared to have hurt his ankle. However, after an examination by Dr. Joe on day four, it was determined that Kyle might have a serious, long-term Achilles tendon injury and needed to leave the competition for treatment.

But the 32-year-old wasn’t ready to go.

Kyle stressed that he really wanted to stay for as long as he could. He even tried to subtly signal he was okay during a test – wiggling his toes while the doctor explained the procedure to Jeff, hoping it would make them stop.

Jeff’s decision to eliminate Kyle from the island was very upsetting to him at the time, but Kyle now understands it was the correct choice, stating, “I realized I needed to leave.”

So, after leaving Fiji, Kyle unfortunately needed surgery for his injury and is still on the mend. It’s a reminder that even when we’re pursuing amazing experiences, taking care of our health is always the top priority!

Kyle mentioned in a February 26th interview on CBS Mornings that he started running three weeks prior and is still in the process of recovering, but is steadily improving.

Nevertheless, the entire ordeal has been “heartbreaking.”

“It’s tough, because two weeks earlier, I won,” he noted. “The whole world got to see me win a million dollars and then to tear your Achilles two weeks later—and know that I get pulled from the game only four days in.”

Although things didn’t end as he’d hoped, he was excited to go home to his wife, Maggie Turner, whom he married in 2024, as they prepared for the arrival of their baby.

“My wife is happy,” he added. “Daughter coming in May!”

For everyone competing in Survivor 50, keep reading…

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Survivor seasons 12 (Panama – Exile Island), 16 (Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites), 20 (Heroes vs. Villains), and 34 (Game Changers) are considered particularly memorable installments of the show.

Seasons 13 (Cook Islands), 16 (Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites), 23 (South Pacific), and 34 (Game Changers) are all notable installments of the Survivor television series.