Brian Wheeler is nearing a return to the Trail Blazers.

Wheeler, the Trail Blazers' longtime play-by-play announcer, will be behind the microphone for the team’s next game, Monday at home against Denver, NBC Sports Northwest has learned.

Wheeler has missed the season’s first 12 games as he battled scrotal lymphedema, a condition that sidelined him four games during the 2013 season.

Scott Lynn, a former Portland radio and television personality who now lives in Florida, filled in for Wheeler.

Wheeler, 55, is in his 20th season with the Blazers. At one point, he had a string of 1,359 consecutive broadcasts over 16 seasons. He signed a multi-year extension with the team in September.

Wheeler has been on a low-calorie, medically-supervised diet in hopes of losing weight and alleviating his condition.

“I’m hoping it will be a short time away,’’ Wheeler said in October. “I love my job and the people I work with; I feel I’m letting them down in some ways. The team was kind enough to give me an extension so I could continue doing what I enjoy the most. I owe it to them and all the loyal listeners to be at my best, and I can assure everyone, I will be as soon as possible.’’