Update: The Sixers have confirmed the report via press release. According to the team, Simmons has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, the typical recovery time for such a fracture is three to four months.
The number one overall pick’s rookie season is being cut short before it begins. Philadelphia 76ers’ forward Ben Simmons reportedly has a fracture in his foot, per Bob Cooney of the Daily News.
Ben Simmons has fracture in his right foot. Further details coming.
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) September 30, 2016
Two sources confirmed that Simmons the fracture and that Simmons will be evaluated further. Team will post announcement shortly
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) September 30, 2016
Simmons was set to be the Sixers’ new sign of hope as one of the most hyped rookies in recent years. The sweet-passing forward will likely miss a significant portion of his rookie year.
With Joel Embiid finally set to play in the NBA for the first time since being drafted, you can’t help but feel for Sixers fans to have to go through that process again.
We will be updating as more details emerge. For now, we are hoping that Simmons will have a speedy and full recovery.
UPDATE (10/1/16):
ESPN’s Marc Stein reports Simmons will be undergoing surgery next week while Jeff Goodman of ESPN reports that you should expect Simmons to miss about three months.
Philadelphia 76ers prized rookie Ben Simmons is scheduled to undergo surgery next week on the broken bone he suffered Friday in his right foot, league sources told ESPN on Saturday.
The No. 1 overall pick is expected to miss about three months, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, which would peg his return in December or possibly even January.
Sources told ESPN on Saturday that doctors involved believe Simmons suffered an acute injury — caused by landing on another player’s foot — and not a stress reaction, and that the Sixers are supportive of a conservative timetable for his recovery.
Two sources with knowledge of doctor examinations of Simmons said Saturday that the injury is an acute fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone caused when he landed on the foot of teammate Shawn Long during a Friday scrimmage at Stockton University in New Jersey.
