Michigan forward Jon Horford week-to-week with potentially serious foot injury
Jon Horford's right foot continues to bother him, and he'll likely not play Thursday when the Michigan basketball team takes on Bradley.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein said Wednesday the 6-foot-9 sophomore forward now is week-to-week with a lingering injury to his right foot.
Horford has missed the 20th-ranked Wolverines' past two games due to the injury, and appears likely to miss another Thursday when Michigan hosts Bradley (6:30 p.m., Big Ten Network).
"Jon's foot is still not healed," Beilein said. "And it may (take) longer (to heal) than we expected.
"He'll probably be (evaluated) on a week-by-week basis, he's not going to practice (Wednesday), and whether we'll use him or not (Thursday) in an emergency, we'll wait and see."
Beilein first sat Horford prior to Michigan's win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff earlier this month, though the sophomore forward was available in an emergency capacity for that contest.
Against Alabama A&M last Saturday, Horford did not dress.
Beilein has described the affliction as a stress injury to the fifth metatarsal of Horford's right foot, explaining that there had not yet been a break in the foot, but continued pounding on the area in question could result in a more severe situation.
On Wednesday, Beilein offered no specific details as to what exactly is wrong with Horford's foot. Asked if the injury was something that could be season-ending, the Michigan coach said he didn't think so, but didn't rule it out either.
"I wouldn't think (it'd be that serious)," Beilein said. "But foot injuries are always scary."
Horford has played in nine games this season for Michigan, meaning that any type of medical redshirt (if necessary) could still a possibility, as any season-ending injury at this point would result in the forward playing less than 30 percent of his team's season.
Horford, who has been the primary backup to starting center Jordan Morgan, is averaging 2.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 10.8 minutes per contest so far this season.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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Comments
heartbreakM
Thu, Dec 22, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.
2 things I think of: Stress fracture, LIsfranc injury. Both of which need rest to recover. Lisfranc injuries are particularly trouble for athletes--difficult to diagnose, difficult to find on MRI, difficult to recover. Wish him the best, just as he was beginning to come into his own.