Oct 10, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) catches the ball in the game against the Orlando Magic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. the Orlando Magic beat the Indiana Pacers by the score of 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

George Hill has yet to play for the Indiana Pacers this season, and the story had been that he is dealing with a leg bruise. But coach Frank Vogel revealed this evening that Hill is actually recovering from a torn quadriceps muscle that he injured in the preseason.

The reason the tear was not originally revealed is because it did not show up in the first MRI. “They didn’t see [the tear] on the original MRI because there was too much blood on the initial picture,” said Vogel before tonight’s game. “He’s had a tear in his quad. That’s the reason that it’s taken so long [to recover].”

Vogel said George Hill wouldn't be back before mid-December, mentioning that the injury was actually a tear in his quad. — Tim Donahue (@TimDonahue8p9s) November 28, 2014

Vogel said the tear didn't show up in initial MRI, because there was too much blood, but that was the reason GHill has been out so long. — Tim Donahue (@TimDonahue8p9s) November 28, 2014

This explains why Hill has been so slow to recover — and why, Vogel says, the point guard will likely remain sidelined until mid-December.

Donald Sloan has been starting — and playing well — in Hill’s absence since C.J. Watson, the team’s backup point guard, has also yet to play a game this year due to injury. But in positive news, Watson will return to action tonight, so the Indiana Pacers now at least have two point guards back in the rotation for the first time this season.

And good thing: The Pacers play the Orlando Magic tonight then head to Ohio to play the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow on the second night of a back to back.