You need to separate these:

Partial meniscectomy

Usually progresses faster, because healing constraints are less restrictive than repair, but the athlete still must pass objective criteria and load-tolerance testing. Current consensus recommends milestone-based rehab rather than time alone. 

Meniscus repair / root / radial / complex unstable tear

This is different:
• healing time matters
• rotation/compression tolerance matters
• deep flexion exposure may need more caution early
• symptom-free function is not enough by itself

Recent meniscus literature notes that many athletes may return by around 6 months, but imaging and clinical healing are not always complete, and joint-line tenderness/effusion remain important warning signs. Return to activity should be time- and criteria-based and aligned to tear type and repair details.