Darrell Arthur Injury Feared Serious, Could Cost Grizzlies A Full Season

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Darrell Arthur #00 of the Memphis Grizzlies passes the ball as Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics defends on March 23, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Darrell Arthur could be out for the entire season with a torn Achilles tendon. The Memphis Grizzlies are painfully thin up front.

Memphis Grizzlies reserve big man Darrell Arthur could miss the entire 2011-12 season with a torn Achilles tendon, reports Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Tillery reports that Arthur went down at Memphis' Sunday practice, and an initial examination indicated a serious injury. Tests continue, and a formal announcement about Arthur's status has not yet been made.

The Grizzlies are painfully thin up front behind stud starters Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Arthur averaged 20 minutes per game off of the bench last season, giving coach Lionel Hollins a solid option when Z-Bo and Marc needed rest. The Grizzlies have been lucky in having Randolph and Gasol remain healthy over the past two seasons; losing either at this point for even a short stretch could be devastating, especially with a condensed schedule allowing little rest between games.

There are really no other reliable big men on the roster. The Grizzlies could seek to bring back Leon Powe, who spent the latter part of the 2010-11 season with the club. The team also has a glut of shooting guards (Tony Allen, O.J. Mayo, Xavier Henry, Josh Selby) if Memphis determines that a trade is needed.

For more on Arthur and the Grizz, visit Straight Outta Vancouver.