Injury Reports on Caleb Foster’s Ankle: Where Things Stand Before Tennessee, Kansas and Army / sportsearchers.com

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Senior guard Caleb Foster is sidelined with an ankle injury, but Duke expects him back for the Nov. 2 season opener against Army. Head coach Jon Scheyer revealed it at ACC Tipoff, saying Foster would be out for “an ankle injury for a short period of time.” Foster had taken part in Countdown to Craziness less than a week earlier, so the injury is recent, and he has since been seen wearing a boot.

Scheyer also downplayed the cause: “They’re just minor things we had to address, and they’ll be back shortly.” That covers both Foster and Drew Scharnowski, who has a knee injury.

Game-by-Game Outlook

Belmont (Oct. 8): Out. Foster didn’t play, which is why Blackwell and Boozer started the scrimmage together.

Tennessee (Tuesday, Oct. 20): Expected to miss. Reporting before the Belmont game said Foster looked likely to be sidelined for the second exhibition against Tennessee. I found no update since then, so keep an eye on pregame availability.

Kansas (Sunday, Oct. 25): Unclear. No report I found rules him in or out. One analyst noted that Scheyer would like to get Foster some reps before the regular season begins, but that is a view, not an announcement. The question is whether the staff plays it safe on the road.

Army (Nov. 2): Expected back. Scheyer’s stated target is the season opener at Cameron Indoor. CBS’s Jon Rothstein also reported the injury isn’t expected to keep him out for it.

My read: The most likely scenario is that Foster misses Tennessee, may or may not appear at Kansas, and returns for Army. That’s an informed estimate, not a confirmed plan, since coaches often adjust late.

Why Duke Is Cautious

Foster has a history. Last March, he fractured his right foot against North Carolina on March 7 and had surgery the next morning. He then missed five postseason games, a stretch your excerpt notes. He also missed the last nine games of his freshman season with an ankle fracture, and a stress fracture in his right ankle ended his 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Analysis: With that record, resting him through exhibitions that don’t count is the sensible approach, even if it costs reps with his new teammates.

What Duke Loses Without Him

According to the excerpt, Foster is Duke’s most senior returning player and a strong communicator who controls pace and rarely rattles under pressure. Last year he averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists, and shot 39.8% from three, the team’s best mark. He also played in 33 of 38 games and started 30.

His absence puts more weight on the others. Cayden Boozer and freshman Deron Rippey Jr. are the likely point guard replacements. Boozer has been through this before: when Duke missed Foster last spring, Boozer stepped up and played at a very high level.

The Starting Lineup Question

Your excerpt says Foster isn’t guaranteed a starting spot, competing with John Blackwell and Cayden Boozer. Yet other reporting expects Foster to be half of the starting backcourt with Blackwell. Boozer’s strong preseason showing could complicate that.

What to Watch

Tennessee’s pregame report: Whether Foster is dressed, in street clothes or in a boot.
Boozer and Rippey’s minutes: This is a test of Duke’s guard depth.
Kansas: Any hint from Scheyer about how much he’ll test Foster in a hostile environment.
Army: The first game where a full backcourt should be available.