Branden Dawson Injury: Updates on Michigan State Star's Wrist and Return

Michigan State forward Branden Dawson suffered fractured wrist against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. He is out for at least the next two games.

Continue for updates. 

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Dawson To Return vs. Maryland

Monday, Dec. 29

Tom Izzo confirmed that Branden Dawson would return for Michigan State's game vs. Maryland and will wear a brace, via Kyle Austin of MLive.com.

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Dawson's Wrist Fractured, Could Return for Start of Big Ten

Thursday, Dec. 19

Michigan State basketball provides an update on Dawson's status:

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Dawson Injures Wrist

Tuesday, Dec. 17

The team's official Twitter account reported the latest on Dawson's ailment:

Dawson has been a significant contributor for the Spartans all season, tallying 11.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. With players like Gary Harris and Adreian Payne getting drafted in the offseason, Dawson was expected to take on an integral role this year.

Prior to the season, Sparty coach Tom Izzo discussed how Dawson stepped up, per Joe Rexrode of Michigan.com:

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He had his best spring and summer. What does that mean? He was in here all the time. What does that insinuate, that he wasn’t before? One-hundred percent. It’s not insinuating. He just, like some guys, didn’t understand how much time you’ve got to spend on your own. He did an unbelievable job, he’s in great shape. He is shooting the ball better.

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The senior suffered a hand injury last season that caused him to miss nine games. During that span, the Spartans went 4-5. They went 25-4 with him on the court.

Dawson has also shown potential that should translate at the NBA level, as Kyle Austin of MLive.com notes:

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Instead of at that table, talking about his upcoming senior season, some think he should be in the NBA. Dawson came to Michigan State as a five-star recruit rated among the top 20 players in the country. Many of the Class of 2011 high school recruits of his caliber have moved on to the league, including 12 of Dawson's 23 teammates on the McDonald's All-American team.

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If Dawson misses any time, Michigan State would be without one of its leaders on both sides of the court. The entire rest of the offense will need to step up in his place with a difficult schedule this season.

In the loaded Big Ten, the Spartans are still one of the programs hoping to contend for a conference championship. Without Dawson, however, that task would look much more difficult moving forward.

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