It’s been at least four weeks since Matthew Moyer, one-third of Syracuse’s precocious freshman class, injured his right foot. On August 3, a fan tweeted this picture of the forward wearing a walking boot and holding crutches, but the exact date on which Moyer suffered the injury is unclear. Now, reports indicate that he’s not even halfway through the recovery process.
When news of Moyer’s injury first surfaced, Jim Boeheim — who was coaching Team USA in Rio de Janeiro when it likely occurred — said there was no way to know a definite prognosis.
“Medically, I’m not sure what’s wrong,” Boeheim said in early August. “We’ll have to figure out what it is. They’re looking at it right now. As for the severity of it, we won’t know for sure, probably, until the end of the month.”
It’s now the end of the month, and the head honcho has some news.
“[Moyer] won’t play for five or six more weeks,‚Äù Boeheim told reporters. ‚ÄúWe really have to see where he is at the end of that time ‚Äî if his injury is healed or if he needs a procedure done on him. Depending on where he is, we‚Äôll have to evaluate what his health is and what‚Äôs best for him.‚Äù
Boeheim said SU’s medical staff initially feared that the injury could force Moyer to miss his entire freshman season, but the program quickly became more optimistic regarding the Ohio native‚Äôs chances to see the floor. Boeheim also divulged that Moyer‚Äôs injury involves a toe on his right foot.
It’s important to note that Boeheim said the team will evaluate Moyer in six weeks, which doesn’t necessarily mean Moyer will jump right into the lineup in mid-September, even if the training staff¬†clears him for activity. He’ll have to make up for the lost time in the offseason, which is especially significant for a freshman, and work his way into game shape before appearing on the Carrier Dome hardwood.
Playing in a loaded frontcourt that features multi-year starters DaJuan Coleman and Tyler Roberson alongside potential superstar Tyler Lydon, Moyer may not contribute a ton as a freshman, but should provide some solid depth across multiple positions. The toe injury obviously clouds his 2016 outlook (and may lead the coaching staff to redshirt him), and could muddy the waters for his future in Central New York, as well. Foot and ankle injuries tend to linger, especially for frontcourt players; from Kevin Durant to Yao Ming to Bill Walton, lower leg maladies have a history of hampering forwards and centers.
Those guys are all taller than the 6-foot-8 Moyer, but the fact that the diaper dandy’s¬†prognosis remains so uncertain is a bit worrisome. Here‚Äôs hoping the young swingman gets back on his feet soon.
