Update: Rudy Fernandez's Surgery Successful, Will Miss 4-6 Weeks

Update: The timeline for Rudy's return has been set at 4-6 weeks. The talented Blazers lineup is getting more and more depleted by the day:

RUDY FERNANDEZ UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL PROCEDURE

Second-year Spaniard will be sidelined 4-6 weeks

PORTLAND, Ore. : Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Rudy Fernandez underwent a successful microdiscectomy Tuesday to alleviate pain in his right leg, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.

Fernandez, 24, will miss 4-6 weeks as a result of the procedure, which relieved pressure from a nerve root in his lower back that caused pain in his right leg.

"The procedure was successful and we can now turn our attention to getting Rudy healthy and back on the court," said Pritchard. "He's been under a lot of pain and we look forward to Rudy returning healthier than ever."

Dr. George Shanno performed the procedure at Southwest Washington Regional Surgery Center in Vancouver, Wash.

Fernandez appeared in Portland's first 20 games this season, averaging 8.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 23.3 minutes. He leads the Trail Blazers and ranks among NBA leaders with 1.55 steals per game.

The Palma de Mallorca, Spain, native leads team qualifiers with a 38.8 percent (31-for-80) mark from three-point range. Fernandez's 159 three-pointers last season set an NBA rookie record.

The hits just keep on coming: Rudy will undergo a procedure today to remove herniated disc material which is causing his back and leg pain. Ben gets after it here with extensive answers to your questions about the procedure. Here's the press release from the Trail Blazers :

RUDY FERNANDEZ TO UNDERGO PROCEDURE TODAY

PORTLAND, Ore. : Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Rudy Fernandez will undergo a procedure today to alleviate pain in his right leg, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced Tuesday.

Fernandez, 24, will undergo a microdiscectomy to relieve pressure from a nerve root in his lower back that is causing pain in his right leg.

Dr. George Shanno will perform the procedure at Southwest Washington Regional Surgery Center in Vancouver, Wash.

A timetable for his return will be determined after the procedure.