Al Nolen could miss up to six weeks with plantar fasciitis, multiple sources familiar with the senior point guard's injury told the Star Tribune Friday.
Nolen hasn't played since the Gophers' 84-65 win over North Dakota State Nov. 24. After that game, Tubby Smith said Nolen would miss time, possibly two weeks or more, with a foot injury described as a borderline stress fracture.
Plantar fasciitis involves pain and inflammation of tissue, according to mayoclinic.com.
Nolen has missed three games.
A six-week layoff would mean that the former Minneapolis Henry star would miss the team's first three Big Ten games: at Wisconsin Dec. 28, at Michigan State Dec. 31 and home against Indiana Jan. 4. It would put him on track to return in time for the Jan. 9 road matchup at Ohio State.
Smith said Friday that he's not sure if Nolen will be ready for the team's Big Ten opener but said his rehab has gone well.
Sources familiar with Nolen's injury said the Gophers captain would love to return in time for the team's first conference game but he may not be ready.
"I think he's going to be out for a [awhile]," one source said. "[The only way for him to get better] is to stay off it for awhile."
