Philadelphia 76ers’ Nerlens Noel expected to miss 3-5 weeks after knee surgery
The injury hits keep coming for the Philadelphia 76ers, with Nerlens Noel now expected to miss 3-5 weeks.
Any recent top draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers seems destined to be injured very quickly, from Joel Embiid missing two whole seasons with foot issues and Ben Simmons already facing an extended absence after undergoing foot surgery. Nerlens Noel missed his own entire rookie season with a torn ACL, and he’s now dealing with another, comparatively minor, knee issue.
According to Keith Pompey of Philly.com, Noel is scheduled for surgery Monday to remove an inflamed plica above his left knee. He has not played since Oct. 6, and Pompey went further by suggesting it will be a 10-minute procedure and Noel will be sidelined an additional 3-5 weeks.
Injury expert Jeff Stotts has added some context to the injury Noel is dealing with.
Re: Nerlens: Plicas not uncommon in general population. Not overly reported in professional sports but does happen.
— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) October 22, 2016
Plica are remnants of a synovial membrane present in the fetal development of the knee. Jason Terry had one removed in summer of 2013.
— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) October 22, 2016
Plica are often discovered when the player undergoes a different knee scope. Surgeon generally removes them even if asymptomatic.
— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) October 22, 2016
This seems like a decidedly minor injury for Noel, but it comes at a poor time. Noel has been the subject of ongoing trade rumors, spurred in part by Embiid’s return to health, while the 76ers have until Oct. 31 to offer him a contract extension and keep him from becoming a restricted free agent next summer.
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Noel was critical of how he, Embiid and Jahlil Okafor can fit together in Philadelphia’s front court, while coming just short of demanding a trade. All three are essentially centers by trade, and the combination of Noel and Okafor at center and power forward was not a good mix last season.
Noel and Okafor have been the two most rumored trade options, and with a contract set to expire Noel should draw plenty of interest once he returns to action.