Sophomore point guard Greg Paulus is out indefinitely with an injury to his left foot, but reports that Paulus had broken a bone and had surgery Monday are inaccurate, Duke spokesman Jon Jackson said.
The injury, sustained near the end of the Blue Devils' second practice of the year Saturday, is a re-aggravation of a preexisting condition in Paulus' foot. Paulus will wear a protective boot for the time being, and there is no specific timetable for his return as it depends how he responds to treatment.
"This is an unfortunate injury, but Greg is an extremely tough individual, and we expect him to make a full recovery," head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. "Our medical staff will evaluate Greg's progress continuously, and he will return to action when the foot is fully healed."
On Monday, personnel at the Duke University Medical Center re-evaluated Paulus and prescribed a treatment plan that will not require surgery.
The official release is in contrast to several published reports on the internet, which said Paulus had broken the fifth metatarsal in his left foot, would have surgery and would be out six to eight weeks.
"What went out on message boards was not accurate," Jackson said. "It was not a break, and he didn't have surgery today."
One of three co-captains on the roster, Paulus was expected to be a key leader on a young Duke team. As a freshman, Paulus averaged an ACC-best 5.2 assists per game in becoming just the fourth freshman ever to lead the league in that category.
After Duke lost to LSU in the Sweet 16 last March, Paulus had surgery to remove a bone chip in his right wrist. He took time off over the summer-which he said Friday was the longest he has ever been away from athletic activity-before returning to the court.
Paulus said Friday he was 100 percent healed from that injury and excited to be playing again-and looking forward to the unique opportunity of leading a young team that will be adapting to new roles with the graduation of J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams.
"We don't know everything," Paulus said Friday. "Guys like myself and Josh [McRoberts] have only been here for one year, so we're still learning a little bit. We haven't been that guy that everybody looks to in a situation where there's a little bit of trouble or a team's making a run and we're playing away from home."
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