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Toronto Raptors: DeMarre Carroll to Miss Significant Playing Time

By Paul Taylor

Dec 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) is fouled as he goes to the basket by Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple (17) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) is fouled as he goes to the basket by Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple (17) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After being held out against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it now appears DeMarre Carroll could miss significant playing time for the Toronto Raptors.

When DeMarre Carroll returned recently from injury (along with Jonas Valanciunas), it seemed the Toronto Raptors were finally fully loaded and ready to make some noise in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, things have not quite gone as planned for the Raptors highest-paid player.

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After struggling against the Chicago Bulls, Carroll was held out of Monday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a swollen right knee. Now, as per a report from Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, it appears the forward is set to miss more significant playing time.

Understandably, this is a blow for Carroll, as he only recently returned from dealing with a knee bruise. Of major concern, is the fact this new injury is on the same knee, which caused him to miss nine games during December.

The 29-year old spoke to Wolstat and the rest of the media, before the Raptors played the Cavaliers: “Mentally, ah, I’m frustrated right now.

“I’m sitting in my room, looking at the ceiling all night, especially after last night’s loss because there’s certain things I knew I could give and me sitting on the bench, just watching Jimmy score all those points (was frustrating), but what can I do? ”

Toronto Raptors
Dec 26, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (3) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Certainly, frustrating is an appropriate word for Carroll, in what has been an up-and-down campaign so far for him. In total, he has missed 13 games to date, with more to come.

Given the issues the Birmingham, Alabama native has dealt with so far, the Raptors have now realized they need to take a more patient approach in helping him fully recover. If that means missing major playing time, then so be it.

In fact, it was interesting to note that Carroll alluded to there being even more wrong with him, than what has been documented: “I don’t want to say too much, but at the same time man, only if you knew, you know what I mean?”

As things stand, the 2009 first round draft pick does not know how long he will be out: “They didn’t give me a time frame – they just told me I have to see some doctors and specialists and see where we go from there.”

Next: Is Terrence Ross ready to fulfill his potential?

It goes without saying, but the Raptors will miss the presence of Carroll, who is third on the team in scoring, as well as being their best defender. However, as he pointed out himself, playing at 65 percent is not going to benefit anyone.

Again speaking to Wolstat, Carroll said: “My main focus right now is just to be healthy and try to put it behind me because I know my team gonna need me later (more) than right now.”

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