Amile Jefferson Injury: Updates on Duke Forward's Foot and Return

Duke Blue Devils forward Amile Jefferson has averaged a double-double in the early going this season, but his team will be without him for the foreseeable future thanks to a fracture in his right foot that he suffered Dec. 14.

Continue for updates.

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Krzyzewski Comments on Jefferson Injury

Saturday, Dec. 19

"It'll be more than a month," head coach Mike Krzyzewski said, per Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com. "Maybe two. We expect him back later in the season. It's later than earlier."

"We have to keep the ship afloat, man, while he's gone," Krzyzewski said, according to Laura Keeley of the Raleigh News & Observer on Dec. 15. Krzyzewski added Jefferson's cast will come off Dec. 26, although the team does not "expect him back soon after that," per Keeley. 

"This injury is unfortunate, to say the least," Krzyzewski said, according to Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated. Hamilton also confirmed Jefferson is out indefinitely.

Bret Strelow of the Fayetteville Observer shared a more detailed statement from Coach K:

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Jefferson a Massive Loss for Young Blue Devils 

Jefferson is averaging 11.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game behind 68.3 percent shooting from the field. He also carried the offense for large stretches against the Kentucky Wildcats and finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds during the high-profile loss.

Jefferson was a contributing rotational player on last season’s national championship team and has assumed a much larger role after Jahlil Okafor departed for the NBA. He also provides senior leadership for a squad that relies on a number of young players, such as sophomore Grayson Allen, freshman Brandon Ingram and freshman Luke Kennard.

Marshall Plumlee and Chase Jeter will likely be asked to fill some of the void left by Jefferson.

Plumlee (5.7 points and 6.4 rebounds a night thus far) is not as talented as Jefferson, but he does bring senior experience to the table and can pick up the slack on the glass. Jeter was a highly sought-after recruit who hasn't had the immediate impact many expected and is only averaging 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. However, he has the talent necessary to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Keeley offered her take on the lineup:

Duke has four more games remaining until the ACC schedule starts Jan. 2. In all, the Blue Devils have a number of pieces to shoulder the load and keep the team afloat without Jefferson, but they still need their big man back on the floor by the time March rolls around if they hope to defend their crown.