Joel Embiid knee injury could be more serious than anyone thought

The news isn’t good on the 76ers health front.

The NBA’s most injury-plagued franchise (of late) could be getting some terrible news soon as the team announcedthat Joel Embiidhas remained in San Diego after the team came back east after a West Coast trip.

He is getting his knee further evaluated and surgery may be required.

The team went on to tell the media thatEmbiidwill meet withwith Dr. David Martin andsee more specialists about the knee (there is a convention of orthopedic surgeons is happening this week in San Diego).

After playing in 31 games and putting up consensus Rookie of the Year numbersfor the Sixers, Embiid was said to be day-to-day with a sore knee before, finally, the team revealed he had a minor tear of his meniscus, via an MRI.

The problem is that another Sixers big man — Jahlil Okafor — was diagnosed with the same ailment and underwent knee surgery. His recovery took a while.

The team has said over and over againthat the tear is “slight” or “minor.”

According to Philly.com’s Bob Cooney: “Surgery on the knee would seem likely, a doctor told me, and once in there, the severity of the tear would be determined. If it is slight and easily fixable, a timetable of returning to activity is just six to eight weeks. If it is more severe, it could take up to six to eight months.”

Will Embiid be able to continue to bounce back and perform after yet another potential surgery?

His career could be on the line, and the likelihood of Embiid becoming another Greg Odenwill increase by multitudes if the 7-foot-2 fan favorite is unable to play significant time in 2017-18.