DeMarre Carroll undergoes ‘procedure;’ Shabazz Napier, Allen Crabbe out

DeMarre Carroll who’s been troubled with ankle pain underwent a arthroscopic surgery late Tuesday, but the Nets did not provide any specifics on his return other to say there will be “appropriate” updates.

Here’s the medical update provided at 6:35 p.m.

Brooklyn Nets forward DeMarre Carroll underwent successful right ankle arthroscopy today. The procedure was performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Updates regarding Carroll’s return will be issued as appropriate.

First word on the need for the procedure came almost as an aside at the end of Tuesday’s practice earlier in the day. Kenny Atkinson media about the decision to have Carroll go under the knife as his Q. and A. with reporters was ending.

“Hey, just one thing,” he interjected. “DeMarre (Carroll) was having some (right) ankle issues. It’s been determined that he’s going to have a procedure today and I’m not going to give you a timetable on what that looks like, but he’s having a procedure today.

“I don’t think it’s a huge thing. It was something where we could go back and forth or get this thing cleaned up and get him feeling 100 percent, so, you know, it is what it is. Like I said before, I think we have a deeper roster this year. I think we can cover during his absence, but just not great news for DeMarre or us but we’ve got to push forward.”

Atkinson added that the ankle had been bothering Carroll for quite some time, so the decision was made to opt for the minor procedure.

“It was bothering him a little and he practiced a little and felt good and then yesterday, he didn’t feel right and went and got an MRI. Again, it was one of those things – ‘do I keep going back and forth or do I take care of this right now and get the procedure done.’ We determined that collectively with him and our medical team. Best course of action, we think.”

Atkinson added that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will be a game-time decision, while Allen Crabbe and Shabazz Napier are both out for at least the season opener. Napier has been troubled by a hamstring injury; Crabbe by an ankle sprain. Hollis-Jefferson was out the entire preseason having strained his adductor muscle on August 4 prior to a charity game in Shenzhen China.

“Rondae is to be determined,” said Atkinson. “I think still we’re going to give him a last run tomorrow morning and see what that looks like, so I’m not going to make a determination on that.”

Atkinson talked about possible replacements.

“Definitely opens up some spots – Jared Dudley, obviously. You know, Rodi (Kurucs) has played that 4 position and has played well. TG – Treveon Graham — has done an excellent job also at the 3 and the 4 and we’ll just have to cover that collectively. We could also go big. We could play Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis or something like that. So we’ll mix and match and we’ll cover it up.”

He also says that the roster’s depth this year is equipped to handle these sort of issues.

“I think it’s part of the job but I do think the fact that we have a deeper team this year – we have guys who can cover for other guys. That’s really what a team is about. That kind of group we threw out against the Knicks in the last preseason game did a heck of a job. So, I’m not concerned with the group that’s going to go out there tomorrow night and we have a lot of good players that are going to play tomorrow night.”

That means at least 13 and possibly 14 of the 17 roster players (including the two two-way players) will be available for Wednesday’s game. The Nets open at home vs. the Knicks Friday.