The Philadelphia 76ers have suffered yet another blow on the injury front. According to the team, Nerlens Noel will undergo a “minor surgical procedure” in his left knee due to an inflamed plica.
The news comes after a Jones fracture suffered by number one overall pick Ben Simmons. Simmons’ could be back to play sometime in the season and no timetable has been set for Noel.
(UPDATE 10/22/16):
Nerlens Noel is expected to miss 3-5 weeks after surgery, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
76ers reserve center Nerlens Noel is scheduled to have surgery Monday at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York to address an inflamed plica above his left knee, according to sources.
Dr. Riley Williams will scope the area during a 10-minute procedure. Noel, who’s been sidelined since Oct. 6, is expected to be sidelined an additional three to five weeks. However, he will get a more accurate timeline following the surgery.
The good news is that it doesn’t appear the surgery is a huge issue. According to eOrthopod, the purpose of the surgery is to remove the plica (which should not be an issue) at which point, scar tissue will take its place.
The somewhat concerning part is that the injury is in the same knee that Noel tore an ACL in during his lone season at Kentucky. The ACL tear could have had an impact in this new inflammation, but again, this does not appear to be a lingering issue. (Note: I am not a doctor; I just play one on the internet.)
Noel has been in the news recently as he has been open about his position with the 76ers. The big man is caught in a logjam in the front court with Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor. The injury could cause him to lose some traction in the position battle.
