Pacers forward Danny Granger ruled out for first 2 games

Oct 5, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers small forward Danny Granger (33) is defended by Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson (22) at Bankers life Fieldhouse. Bulls beat Pacers 82-76. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

For the majority of the preseason, the Indiana Pacers have been without swingman Danny Granger as he rehabs from a calf strain, and after rumors that he would miss the regular season opener, head coach Frank Vogel confirmed his absence on Sunday.

Vogel declares Danny Granger (calf strain) out for the first two games of the season.

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) October 27, 2013

It isn’t a surprise to see Granger on the sideline against Orlando and New Orleans in the first 2 games, but it’s still an ominous sign for the Pacers moving forward. After being the leading scorer (and default best player) in Indy for a 4-year stretch from 2007 through 2011, Granger missed all of last season with an ACL tear, and you never want to see additional leg injuries following that. On the bright side, the former New Mexico Lobo isn’t being looked at as the primary option for the Pacers anymore after Paul George emerged as an elite player, but his presence on the bench could be extremely valuable.

Frank Vogel did use the word “cautious” in his declaration about Granger’s absence, and that is a good sign in my opinion. There’s absolutely no rush to bring him back quickly with an already solid team on the court and no real urgency in the standings, and Indiana is a lurking monster if they can integrate Granger into what was an awesome team near the end of last season.

Topics: Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

Brad Rowland

Brad Rowland is the editor of ATL All Day, the one-stop fix covering the Atlanta sports scene on the FanSided network, and he is a regular contributor to the FanSided.com front page. Brad is a life-long sports fanatic who is a realist, and he lives his life in an attempt to combat every negative stereotype of the Atlanta sports fan.

metalhead65

this should end any debate about whether he should start or come off the bench. if he ever gets healthy enough to play bring him off the bench in limited minutes to show other teams he can still score. hopefully the pacers will be able to dump him and his salary before he completely falls apart and they are stuck paying him again for not playing and not getting anything in return when he leaves at the end of the season. I really hoped he would be able to help the pacers take the next step this year but if he can’t make it thru preseason without getting hurt no way he will make it thru the season without being injured every other week.