Al Horford exited the Hawks' lineup for the rest of the regular season due to a torn pectoral muscle. Now, his younger brother is also facing a potential season-ending situation.
Jon Horford, who currently attends the University of Michigan, suffered a stress fracture in his right foot in December. Due to a slow recovery period, the younger Horford has been unable to play since the injury knocked him out. With decision time looming, the University of Michigan has decided to evaluate redshirting the sophomore for this season for medical reasons. such a move would prevent Don Horford from returning for the Big Ten tournament or the NCAA tournament (or NIT, if Michigan failed to make the field of March Madness).
The permanent loss could spell a quick tournament exit for the 21-7 Wolverines, who are already stretched thin in the front court. It bears an eerie similarity to the Hawks' situation, with Atlanta stretched thin in the front court as well.
The elder Horford is on track for a return to Atlanta in late April, just as the regular season wraps up and the postseason begins. The Hawks will need to make a serious decision soon on Al's recovery, in order to go the rest of the way with a combination of Zaza Pachulia, Erick Dampier, and Jason Collins, sign additional free-agent help, or make a blockbuster trade.
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