Amazon swords

[Butterflylands]

Please help. I received 2 24inch sword plants a few days ago in the mail. They are a bit tattered but the roots are growing quickly. They were grown emersed and will have major dieback soon.
Can I just cut them back to the rootball and eliminate the melt process? Or will that kill them? Thank you

 

[ZxC]

I would leave 3-5 of the newest leaves, the rest can be trimmed off and tossed in the trash.