Jason Kidd Injury: Mavericks Guard Leaves Game with Calf Strain

Jason Kidd reportedly left the first quarter of Friday's game against the Utah Jazz with a calf strain, highlighting an aging roster that has gotten off to a unspectacular 11-8 start this season.

According to ESPN, Kidd left with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter, hobbling off the court to the bench before being taken to the locker room.

Kidd wasn't playing very well before the injury, anyway. He's already suffered back spasms, and he's averaged 4.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting under 29 percent from the floor. He's 38 years old right now on a roster that includes eight players 32 years of age or older.

Some of these players have played pivotal roles in the Mavs success throughout the years, including 33-year-old Dirk Nowitzki and 34-year-old Jason Terry. They also signed 35-year-old Vince Carter this offseason, who returned to the lineup on Friday after missing five consecutive games with a sprained left foot.

Not only are the defending champions aging, this season is particularly stressful because of the compacted 66-game schedule due to the NBA lockout. That means more back-to-back games, which has burned more than a few teams already as stars have fallen.

Teams such as the Boston Celtics were particularly critical of commissioner David Stern for the compacted schedule and a short offseason to prepare.

Despite Kidd not having a good season, he was playing 30 minutes per game, and if he misses significant time that thins out the roster even more, meaning more minutes for other guards on the team. It also hurts that former backup J.J. Barea isn't on the team, who provided a youthful spark the team has lacked thus far.

The Mavericks need to find the Fountain of Youth at this point.