Zion Williamson suffers setback in surgically repaired foot, rehab reduced for 'extended period'
It's going to be awhile before we see Zion Williamson in a basketball game. Or doing any basketball things at all.
The promising New Orleans Pelicans player has experienced a setback while rehabbing his surgically repaired right foot, the team announced in a statement on Saturday. His training is being reduced so the bone can heal further.
"After experiencing persistent soreness in his right foot, Zion Williamson underwent medical imaging which showed a regression in the bone healing of his fifth metatarsal. As a result, the volume and intensity of his training will be reduced for an extended period to help allow for further bone healing. Additional updates will be provided as warranted."
Williamson's foot continues to delay his start
Williamson hasn't played a single game this season, and his foot is the reason why. He fractured it during an offseason workout and had surgery in August. The team kept it a secret, hoping his foot would heal in time for the beginning of the season, but the healing process was slower than expected.
Since then, Williamson had been rehabbing and getting ready for the season. He was cleared for contact drills in mid-November, and two weeks later was cleared for full basketball activities. But barely a week later, the Pelicans announced that Williamson's foot was sore and he was being held out of practice. Now nine days later, his foot is forcing him to ease up on his rehab.
Beyond saying that he's easing up for "an extended period," the statement included no timeline for anything. We don't know how long he'll be doing the dialed down rehab, or how long it might take him to get game ready once he's back at full strength.
That's frustrating for fans who want to see him, but it makes sense. Williamson's fractured foot is calling all the shots now. There can't be any progress until that's totally healed.