I tore a tendon in my finger, just like Dirk, and it healed fine without surgery. The finger was immobilized for 6 weeks 24/7 so it wouldn't bend. Saw my same surgeon who did my ACL surgery and he said basically every tendon or ligament would regrow if the ends were touching and there is sufficient blood flow. That doesn't work with ACL's but maybe it could with an ankle or maybe Wes only had a partial tear.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/super-gonorrhea-scientists-discover-antibiotic-resistant-std/story?id=14027745 better watch out man!