Chris Andersen Injury: Cavaliers Forward to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Cleveland Cavaliers big man Chris Andersen suffered a torn ACL during Friday's practice that will require season-ending surgery, the team announced. 

Andersen went down untouched during practice, according to the Cavaliers, and will have a timetable for a possible return disclosed after his surgery. 

The 38-year-old averaged 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game this season, as he was used sparingly behind Tristan Thompson within the frontcourt.

The lack of play might have been unexpected, though. Signing with Cleveland in the offseason, Andersen could have seen a larger-than-expected role amid some summer departures.

The veteran big man sat out with a shoulder injury and wound up appearing in only 27 games for the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies in 2015-16. Andersen is in the final stretch of his career, but his relationship with star LeBron James helped him land a minimum deal in Cleveland.

The Cavs will have to look for additional options behind Thompson now that Andersen is gone for the year. His athleticism and rim protection aren't what they once were, and he's never brought much from an offensive production standpoint, so it might not take much to do so. 

Look for Channing Frye to cycle off the bench between the 4 and 5 when Thompson needs a rest, as Cleveland might be forced to roll out smaller lineups more often now. 

But with the core of James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love still intact, the loss of Andersen is a minimal one.