November 13, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Lehigh Mountain Hawks guard C.J. McCollum (3) handles the ball against pressure by Pittsburgh Panthers guard James Robinson (right) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Trail Blazers rookie CJ McCollum will not have surgery to repair the broken 5th metatarsal in his left foot. This does not mean that the injury is any less severe, just that he has elected to take an alternate route to recovery. Instead, he will undergo a non-operative ultrasound procedure, to be done by the same physician that treated Stephen Curry’s ankles prior to the 2012-2013 season (Dr. Robert Anderson).

The procedure is designed to stimulate bone growth, which will hopefully mean less chance of re-injury. This element is key for McCollum, who has now broken the same bone twice within one year. No information has been released regarding how this option will affect his timetable for return, but Terry Stotts has indicated that he wants McCollum to travel with the team when able.

My bet is that we’ll see him closer to New Years than Christmas. The Blazers will be extra careful with their 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft unless some dire emergency calls for his presence. Since there aren’t many scenarios in the NBA that require first time players to rush back to a deep team as soon as possible, he may be wearing a suit instead of a jersey until 2014 rolls around.

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