I’m pretty sure I was doing leg press with my booted leg when I broke my ankle.
Here’s what I suggest. Try the lunges I shared a few weeks back. By using the sliders, you slow down and control the eccentric. You don’t need weight. Do 15 reverse lunges and go straight into lateral lunges with the same leg.
Here’s the post.
I also would do my step ups with bodyweight. I use a 12" box and barely tap my heel to the floor which causes a slow, intentional eccentric. I do regular and then lateral step ups where I reach out to the side and tap my foot on the ground. 10-15 regular + 10-15 lateral and then switch legs.
I think that could keep your loading down while still challenging your legs.