Glen Davis Injury: Updates on Clippers Forward's Groin and Recovery

Injury woes have cropped up once again for Los Angeles Clippers big man Glen Davis heading into his team's preseason contest Friday against the Utah Jazz.

Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times reported Davis was out with a right groin strain:

Arash Markazi of ESPN provides an update on Davis' injury and expected return date:

"

Davis suffered the injury while setting a screen during practice and is expected to miss two weeks.

"We're going to take our time with that," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "I don't give a time frame, but no time soon ... I think it will be close [to the season opener]. I think he'll be back playing by then, but I don't know if he'll be in basketball shape to play.

"

Davis stayed relatively healthy throughout his career in Boston, but injuries began to take their toll in his tenure with the Magic. He missed 69 games throughout his first two seasons in Orlando. 

After being traded to the Clippers in the middle of last season, he started slow in a new environment and lost his spot in the rotation shortly before turning it around just before the postseason. He averaged just 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in the playoffs.

The Clippers are in decent shape with their frontcourt bench after securing Spencer Hawes and Ekpe Udoh over the offseason, but there's no replacement for Davis' motor and tough-nosed defense. Doc Rivers knew what he was bringing in after coaching Davis in Boston, and his dedication to keeping him as a contributor reflects that.

Either way, a lingering injury is the last thing that Davis or the Clippers need with the season fast approaching. Expect both parties to err on the side of caution and not return Davis to action until he's fully ready.