Anderson Varejao Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Torn Achilles and Recovery
Cleveland Cavaliers star big man Anderson Varejao left the floor during Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a left foot/ankle injury. He's been diagnosed with a torn Achilles and underwent surgery.
Continue for updates.
Varejao to Begin Rehab Soon
Thursday, Jan. 8
Varejao took to Instagram to update fans on his status, posting a photo with the caption "Next week I'm starting the rehab! @cavs #fans":
Varejao Undergoes Successful Surgery
Friday, Dec. 26
The Cavaliers provided an update on Varejao:
"Cavaliers Center Anderson Varejao underwent successful surgery today at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland to repair his recently ruptured left achilles tendon. Dr. Brian Donley performed the surgery with Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker and Dr. James Rosneck assisting. Varejao is expected to miss the remainder of the 2014-15 NBA season while he recovers and progresses through his rehabilitation process. A timeline for his return to basketball activity will be established at a later date.
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Varejao Diagnosed with Torn Achilles
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski has the latest on Varejao:
Varejao Injures Ankle vs. Timberwolves
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio reported the details of Varejao's injury:
ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein added: "Initial tests weren't able to determine the severity of the injury and Varejao was forced to leave the arena on crutches, with league sources telling ESPN.com that the Cavs fear one potential outcome is a torn Achilles."
Varejao is a key cog in the Cavs' lineup. Although the team has another All-Star in the frontcourt in Kevin Love and a stud point guard in Kyrie Irving, neither played with superstar LeBron James during his first stint with the team.
Now that James has returned to Cleveland, Varejao is the lone core holdover who has an innate understanding of what it's like to play with the game's best player.
Medical issues have plagued Varejao throughout his career, though he's only missed one game in the 2014-15 NBA season, with a rib injury, which the Cavs won 109-97 over Indiana on November 29.
While Varejao's absence will force youngster Tristan Thompson to tackle a bigger role and may be somewhat of a blessing in disguise, head coach David Blatt would love to have as much stability in his rotation as possible.
Blatt is a first-year NBA coach with championship expectations. Having someone with Varejao's experience and energy is impossible to replace. The deeper Cleveland can ultimately go in its bench as the season goes on, though, the better off it will be in pursuit of the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
