Linas Is Gone For The Season

I am late on this one. Dealing with shaking a cold so I am able to be able to go cover the Raptors tomorrow. But news broke this afternoon that Linas Kleiza under went season ending surgery in Colorado. Here is the details in the Raptors Press Release:

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday forward Linas Kleiza (LYNN-as CLAY-za) underwent arthroscopic surgery yesterday to address both a meniscal tear and chondral defect of his right knee. The surgery was performed by Dr. J. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colorado. Due to the nature of the microfracture procedure performed, the recovery time is expected to be nine to 12 months.

There is some good news for the Raptors though. Fan 590 was reporting today that Leandro Barbosa could return to the line-up tomorrow night vs the T-Wolves. I will be in the house for that one and Ryan will have you covered with the pre and post game coverage of that one. Now back to getting well from me. My recovery time is far less than that of Kleiza.

Ed Davis Goes Out For Pre-Season and Beyond

Well this is not great news to start a new season. The MRI that was done on Ed Davis revealed a tear in his meniscus. It required surgery that was performed this morning in a Toronto hospital. This will rule the Raptors 13th selection out for training camp, pre-season and most likely the first couple weeks of the season. Normal recovery time for this injury in a minimum 6 weeks.

Needless to say this is a set back in his development and he missed a good part of last season with UNC for an unrelated injury but you have to wonder is this just one of those guys that has bad luck in terms of injuries. See Greg Oden who is the poster boy for this type of thing. While the Raptors have plenty of depth to handle the lose it is more a case of the setback in the development of the rookie.

Paul Marks the Raptors team medical director and orthopaedic surgeon performed the procedure. Raptors will have Media Day a week from today on the 27th and open camp in Toronto for a few days before heading out to camp in Vancouver. It would seem unlikely Davis would make that trip with the team. Just another blow to what has been one of the worst off-seasons in franchise history.

Reggie Evans Injury Update.

Reggie Evans left last night's game vs Boston and did not return. The Raptors released a statement that Evans has suffered a mild left foot sprain. There is no timetable for his return at the this time but it is likely he may miss the remainder of the pre-season. In the pre-season Reggie had averaged 7.2 points and had 4.8 rebounds. So it looks like the Raptors will be going without Reggie the rest of the way (Starting tonight with Rockets at ACC) until at the earliest the 28th when they open with the Cavs at the ACC.

Let's hope Reggie can make a speedy recovery as he really was having a positive impact in his play in the first few games of the pre-season.

J.O Out For Rest Of The Home Stand?

Just a little news to pass your way. Jermaine O'Neal who left the game in Sunday vs Boston. It is being reported that O'Neal hopes to return to the Raptor line-up on Sunday November 30th @ the Lakers. O'Neal is listed as day to day with a strained left knee. In comments to reporters O'Neal suggested the rather large brace that he wears on the injured knee is likely the reason his injury was not as bad as it could have been. It has been made clear in his coming to the Raptors the issues that he has had in the past with that knee. So the Raptors are likely going to be without O'Neal's services tomorrow versus Charlotte and Friday versus Atlanta. Both these games are at the ACC to close out a four game home stand for the Raptors. The Raptors hit the road for 3 games on the west coast starting with the Lakers on Sunday.

Update( Wed. Afternoon ):

J.O is also having issues with an ankle along with the knee. He is doubtful for tonight versus Charlotte. It is a day to day situation and the Raptors have not made any announcement on his status. The Laker return date was based on updates that were on Toronto Radio station yesterday. The Raptors will be hopeful to have O'Neal back in the line-up and healthy as soon as he is able as it is a key time for the club.