Torn Meniscus to Sideline Indiana Forward Derek Elston

News surfaced on Wednesday that Indiana forward Derek Elston is expected to miss the next several weeks after tearing his meniscus in practice.

The injury requires surgery and sets the course for a recovery period that will likely cause the 6-foot-9 Indiana-native to miss some early season action.

Elston has molded himself into a solid role player and contributor for head coach Tom Crean over the years. Now a senior, Elston has been with the program since the start of the 2009-10 season. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds a season ago in just over 12 minutes of action per game.

Elston has been a part of the Hoosiers’ program through some of the more disappointing years, but Indiana’s resurgence has instantly boosted expectations entering his final season. Crean’s rebuilding process is well ahead of schedule and the hype and drive for a national championship is on the table in 2012-13.

While surgery is expected for Elston later this week, an exact timetable for a return to the court is unknown at the moment. With tons of depth, Indiana will not be forced to rush him back until his is fully healthy.

Injuries are nothing new to the forward, either. Elston broke his nose a season ago and had surgery for a sports hernia as a sophomore. As a high school senior in 2008, Elston tore his meniscus and missed his final AAU season.

Indiana will open up the 2012-13 season on Nov. 9 against Bryant. The Hoosiers have three consecutive home games to begin the year before making a trip to Brooklyn, New York as part of the 2012 Legends Classic.

 

Paul Seaver is the College Basketball Network Manager at Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @TheArenaPulse